In Bagnols-en-Forêt, CAREX turns archaeology into an open-air walk. Run by the Arkéodidacte association, the site was designed as a free open-air museum, accessible all year round, with activities that encourage visitors to understand history through hands-on experience rather than looking into display cases.
What will you discover on the walk?
The route includes the Labyrinthe de l’Évolution, designed to show that evolution is not a straight line, and areas dedicated to prehistoric art where visitors can understand the materials and techniques used in the past. CAREX is also a natural starting point for connecting archaeology with the local landscape.
Bagnols-en-Forêt is particularly interesting in this respect: the surrounding area preserves old millstone quarries, where millstones were cut from the rock, notably for grinding grain or processing oil. Some are still visible partly extracted, with circular impressions left in the stone.
Why visit with children?
Arkéodidacte's approach is deliberately educational and participatory. The site introduces evolution, prehistory, ancient techniques and archaeology without a conventional museum visit.
It is a particularly fitting hidden gem for a day exploring the red rocks, millstone quarries and landscapes of Bagnols-en-Forêt.
