Troglodytic homes in Graufthal

Graufthal is a hamlet near Eschbourg in Alsace, in the north of the Vosges mountains. I have known for ages that there are troglodytic houses there but I had never visited them.

When we left Réhaupal last week, we went to La Petite Pierre to see one of my husband's colleagues, then we drove to Graufthal a few miles away.

The houses are external built parts that lean on the cliff, painted in blue, so you see them very clearly from the road. They have been inhabited for about two centuries, but built at first in the Middle Ages to be used as attics.

Three families with children have lived in these small houses. Only one room has a wood floor, all the others have kept the stone to walk on. We saw two (or three) bread ovens. The rooms are small and a "first floor" has been built for the children to sleep on.

The last person living there died in 1958. It is hard to imagine how she coped, having to stay in such a small space, but, above all, such a low space. My husband was not able to enter any of the houses without bending and, inside, his head was not far from the rock.

We have visited troglodytic habitation in Turkey which were very different, nearly built completely in the rock, and also in Touraine in the Loire Valley. The latter looked as the ones in Graufthal but were higher inside and really more "comfortable". In fact, we have thought we could stay in one of them for a week, as some are used as gîte, and visit the Loire Valley again.

Graufthal outside and inside

Comments

[kay Lamb]

Very interesting!! I imagine when these homes were built to be inside and so solidly protected was a luxury and for them to have a window was a miracle. What's the story on the mansion in front of the cliff dwellings?

[Maryse]

I don't know the story of this house, only that from the first floor at the back they sell tickets to visit the troglodytic homes and also postcards and a few other things.

[kay Lamb]

Very interesting!! I imagine when these homes were built to be inside and so solidly protected was a luxury and for them to have a window was a miracle. What's the story on the mansion in front of the cliff dwellings?