ABBEY OF SAINT ROMAN: A troglodyte abbey.

Overlooking the Rhone River and the town of Beaucaire, you will discover the surprising vestiges of the only troglodytic abbey of Western Europe. In the Vth century, following the example of the monks of Cappadocia, Middle East and Egypt, hermits, occupied the top of a high hill, and dug there in the rock, the buildings necessary for their life of prayer : chapel, cells, and community halls. They will adopt later the rule of St. Benedict.
Abbey until the 16th century, it will be sold to a private individual who built a small castle on the top of the hill. Passing from hand to hand, the last owner will dismantle the site and will sell the stones.
The troglodytic parts are still remaining and they seduce by their originality.