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All France Savonnières Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Limestone grottoes turns everyday objects into stone.

Savonnières, France

Added By
Joshua Foer
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Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
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About

Objects left for six months to a year under the mineral-rich springs of the petrifying grottoes of Savonnières, France, emerge coated in a perfectly pure white layer of limestone. Bas-relief molds left in the cave for two years at a time (turned once every fortnight) produce fully formed architectural ornaments. The adjacent Museum of Petrifaction collects these beautiful petrified objects--each a marriage of art and nature--for public display and sale.

The grottoes, located just outside the city of Tours, also contain a collection of stalagmites and stalactites, an underground lake, a Gallo-Roman cemetery, and a model of a large and fearsome prehistoric lizard.

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Caves Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

M10, exit 24, follow RD7 in the direction of Villandry. The Savonnieres' petrifying grottoes are situated at the Savonnieres' exit. Free car park.

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Added By

Josh

Edited By

Ella Morton, Kerry Wolfe, Celine

  • Ella Morton
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Celine

Published

October 2, 2009

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  • http://www.grottes-savonnieres.com/
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes
Route des Grottes Pétrifiantes
Savonnières, 37510
France
47.3458, 0.5314
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Nearby Places

Musee du Compagnonnage

Tours, France

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

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Places 692
Stories 73

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Explore the Destination Guide

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Stories 73

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