In the municipality of Fontvieille there are four Stone Age burial sites in artificial caves that are at least 5000 years old. A single burial grotto is freely accessible. The cavity was carved in solid bedrock and the hole was covered with large plates, some of which are still in place.

Access is free. Scientific excavations can take place, you should follow the instructions on site. If possible, one should descend into the pit, the exposed rock walls are impressive.

Access by public transport

The bus lines 702 (Arles to Salon) and 707 (Arles, Saint-Rémy to Avignon) have both a stop at the Montmajour Abbey, which is 1km west of the cave site. However, you can ask the driver to be dropped off at the parking lot nearby.

All information about the bus lines can be found under Zou! (only french).

From the stop at the Montmajour Abbey, continue eastward on the D17 road for 1km. It's not very romantic, but for a while there is a bike path that we can use. This leads to a long lay-by on the left. From there it is only 40 meters further on the same side of the road, the grave is under trees next to the road.

Don't try to go across the fields or along the railway line, fences and moats make it impossible to get through.

Access by car

Driving from Arles in the direction of Fontvieille and Baux-de-Provence, you will pass the Abbaye de Montmajour and after a long bend to the left there is a car park on the left-hand side of the road.

Coming from Saint-Rémy, you drive through Fontvieille and on to Arles. When you see the Montmajour Abbey on its hill, look to the right for a sign announcing the Hypogée du Castelet. This is immediately followed by a long lay-by on the right.

Stop at this rest area and walk 40 meters eastward on the same side of the road. The tomb is under trees further ahead.

Description

It is an underground tomb that was covered with large stone slabs. The ditch is divided into three sections: an entrance with steps, an antechamber and a burial chamber. The peculiarity of the Hypogée du Castelet is the exit in the form of a dugout boat. The stairs are badly worn and weathered, it's easy to slip here when it's damp.

In the Musée départemental Arles Antique you can find some more information about this type of tomb.

Three other similar tombs are in the vicinity south of the road, but they all lie on inaccessible private property surrounded by strong fences:

Hypogée de Cordes on the Montagne des Cordes, GPS 43.699488,4.67511.

Hypogee de Bounias, GPS 43.709206,4.684818.

Hypogee de la Source, GPS 43.706638,4.677715.