Rochechouart type lithic breccia
This page contains 4 sets of images; Rochechouart type lithic breccia; Breccia within the chateau and church; Lithic breccia in more natural settings; and a specific large boulder of impact breccia close to the town.
Below we can see example of Rochechouart type lithic breccia. Note that the colouration of this, grey/brown, is very different from that of the Montoume suevite.
This page contains 4 sets of images; Rochechouart type lithic breccia; Breccia within the chateau and church; Lithic breccia in more natural settings; and a specific large boulder of impact breccia close to the town.
Below we can see example of Rochechouart type lithic breccia. Note that the colouration of this, grey/brown, is very different from that of the Montoume suevite.
Within the town of Rochechouart, many of the older buildings use Rochechouart type lithic breccia within their external walls. Outside the church (the Eglise Saint Sauveur) there is a small display notice directing the visitor to examples within the church wall. However, once recognised as such, it is easy to see many more examples in the church, and it is good fun 'spotting' this stone in other buildings of the town.
The chateau is an excellent visit, offering both fine examples of the use of quarried and dressed breccia stone, and provides a fine view across the valley of the river La Graine. Whilst it is tempting to think that when you are looking over boundary walls you are seeing the remnants of the impact crater, this is not the case and no crater structure is today visible from the surface.
The chateau is an excellent visit, offering both fine examples of the use of quarried and dressed breccia stone, and provides a fine view across the valley of the river La Graine. Whilst it is tempting to think that when you are looking over boundary walls you are seeing the remnants of the impact crater, this is not the case and no crater structure is today visible from the surface.
Probably the easiest way to see Rochechouart lithic breccia in 'natural' setting is the outcrop on the D38 from Rochechouart to Babaudus. This also has a small display notice and seating (it is an easy walk from the town).
Whilst at the outcrop, take the opportunity to study the large boulder of breccia which will be behind you as you are facing the outcrop. But be aware of family members taking misleading photographs! If you are fortunate, you will also be visited by very friendly local inhabitants :-)
