Luciole Blog

23rd – 29th July 2023

The caves – oh the caves! We have our intrepid biking family to thank for setting off to find the cave quarries and coming back with an experience greater than the Luciole crew expected. Our bikers returned with photographic evidence of another world hidden in the limestone cliff.

The family took the parallel road beside the River Yonne on the east side, where a steep gradient leads up to the quarries, that are tunnelled into the hillside. On arrival they found that the first and then the second hefty barrier gates to the quarry were ajar and being inquisitive, they slipped inside. The stone quarry is vast and they captured remarkable photos of the worker’s world but also the evidence, commonly known that the cave was used by the Germans in World War II to repair damaged aeroplanes.

The aeroplanes were hauled up on wires from the grassy runway below, into the quarry to be repaired. Strange but true. The crew snuck back the following day – but sadly and infuriatingly – the gates were locked once more and entry barred.

Sandy, caves aside – it was such a pleasure meeting you and all your family onboard the Luciole. William, who was replacing Jim as the Captain for the week, greatly enjoyed the grandchildren joining him on the wheelhouse. I remember a fun memory and laugh at breakfast time with ‘come on over for a croissant’ wave and the night before the conversation with the delightful lady from Accolay, who stood on her doorstep as we strolled to the restaurant.

Happy summer days of billowing clouds, but oh the caves, the caves – you will be associated and remembered always for the week we glimpsed within.