Roche du Recreux

Deycimont

A forgotten calendar-rock in the forest, where the solstice sun still passes through the stone as it did two thousand years ago.

On the Recreux massif, at around 580 metres, a natural rock is pierced right through by a cave partly hollowed out by human hands, oriented so as to let the rising sun's ray through at the summer solstice. Gaulish Leuci coins and a Roman coin of the emperor Decius have been uncovered there, attesting to ancient use of the site. Medieval traditions also tell of ritual fertility fires lit on what was locally known as the 'furnace'.

Getting there : Natural site in the forest of the Recreux massif, between Épinal and Remiremont; access by footpath, land ownership status to be checked locally; approximate coordinates, centred on the commune of Deycimont

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound