Route pittoresque de la Corniche
Between Bourg and Gauriac, the lakeshore road (Route de la Corniche) runs along the Gironde Estuary. The landscape is regularly dotted with many cave dwellings. You can spot them from the road or pass in front of them along the area’s hiking trails, although they are not open for visits.
Stone from the Bourg section was long mined to build cities the likes of Bordeaux. It was shipped by river aboard barges and continued to be used until the 19th century. The workers quickly came to understand that they could live in the “orifices” from which the stone was extracted. And that is how these unique homes came to be. When the 20th century spelled the demise of the use of stone, the houses were taken over by fishermen along the estuary. Some of them are still inhabited today.
Pics & videos
Reception
Yes
In detail
12
by car
25
Easy
Files
https://cdt33.media.tourinsoft.eu/upload/Itineraire-de-Au-Mas--33710-Bourg--France-a-133-Roque-de-Thau--33710-Villeneuve--France-2.kml