The Goupillières troglodytic valley Journey to the heart of rural life in Touraine

Just a stone’s throw from the majestic Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, the Vallée troglodytique des Goupillières invites you on an extraordinary journey back in time, where three authentic farms dug into the rock tell the story of the daily lives of Touraine farmers from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Enter this world, where every nook and cranny, from the bread oven to the stables, bears witness to a rich and little-known history. An adventure for all the family!

An authentic site

Young and old alike will marvel at the amenities dotted around the valley. A miniature castle invites children to relive the great hours of history, while the mysterious witch’s house sparks their imagination. Along the leafy paths, a walk punctuated with riddles leads you to discover the Troglodyte mignon, Europe’s smallest bird.

Enjoy a gourmet break in the heart of the site, where the traditional vegetable garden and vineyard lodge recall the self-sufficiency of farmers in days gone by. Guided tours, rich in anecdotes, reveal the secrets of this authentic hamlet where time seems to have stood still. A captivating journey to share with the whole family, just a few minutes from the great châteaux of the Loire.

A la découverte de la vallée troglodytique des Goupillières

A troglodyte farm unique in the Loire Valley

Cross the threshold of these ancient dwellings and discover a timeless rural heritage. In this remarkably preserved site, farm animals bring the spaces to life as they did in days gone by. Goats, donkeys and sheep accompany you as you explore the three authentic farmhouses, silent witnesses to the toil of the quarrymen-peasants. Around the bend in the galleries, the medieval underground refuge plunges you into the mysterious atmosphere of troubled times.

Daily life in the tufa dwellings

Come to these dwellings where echoes of the past still resonate. Here, farming families organised their lives around thecommunity bread oven, the real beating heart of the community. Along the limestone walls, admire the ingenious niches carved out to store tools, while the grain silos bear witness to the meticulous organisation of daily life.

In these naturally isolated habitats, the temperature remains stable all year round. In summer, the coolness of the rock provides a welcome refuge, while in winter, the skilfully carved fireplaces radiate gentle warmth. Traces of soot on the walls tell of long evenings when ancestral knowledge was passed down from generation to generation.

Around Les Goupillières

The secrets of Azay-le-Rideau underground

The skills of the quarrymen are revealed in every nook and cranny of the galleries. The tool marks on the walls tell of the painstaking extraction of the tufa, while ancestral digging techniques are revealed for visitors to see. A unique architectural feat is hidden in the ingenious natural ventilation system, allowing optimal air circulation throughout the underground network.

Deep in the hillside, a mysterious network of secondary galleries bears witness to a complex social organisation. The skilfully placed skylights create a special atmosphere where the half-light converses with the sun’s rays. A remarkable underground heritage that still holds some of its secrets today.

In a nutshell on the Vallée des Goupillières

A living, immersive troglodyte heritage

Discover three farms with animals, mysterious underground passages and troglodytes

Everyday life sculpted in tufa stone

Admire the ingenious silos, chimneys and niches, testimony to ancient know-how

Gourmet break in the troglodyte restaurant

Enjoy fouées and local wines in an authentic setting

The Gourmet Troglodyte Restaurant

In a tufa stone alcove,the fouée crackles over the embers of the ancestral oven. This local speciality, a soft little loaf topped to your heart’s content, awakens the taste buds of visitors every lunchtime.

The menu changes with the seasons, featuring products from the neighbouring vegetable garden and recipes from yesteryear.Fouées are enjoyed topped with homemade rillettes, mature cheeses or grilled vegetables, accompanied by a glass of local wine. A unique gourmet break that deliciously extends your immersion in the art of troglodytic living.