Forgotten by many the Carrière de la Troche whispers tales of Parisian streets. This is not just a rock face. The Carrière de la Troche is a portal to a time when these stones paved the way for progress.
Welcome to the Carrière de la Troche a former sandstone quarry. It sits on the edge of the Saclay plateau. Today it is a climbing spot but it was once a vital source of materials for Paris.
Imagine workers from the 17th century. They toiled here extracting the very stones under your feet. This sandstone was used for paving Paris streets. It also made the borders of sidewalks. Even the frames of doors and windows owe their existence to this place. Above the sandstone lay the millstone. This porous rock was perfect for building walls.
The Carrière de la Troche was more than just a hole in the ground. It was a hive of activity. Men with picks and shovels cleared away clay. They exposed the sandstone beneath. Others fractured massive stones using iron wedges. Some were experts. They shaped the stones into standard sizes. The sound of hammers and chisels filled the air. It was a symphony of labor.
Around the late 19th century the Pigeon family owned the Carrière de la Troche. Victor Pigeon was a deputy of Seine et Oise. The quarry employed 25 to 30 workers. Their work went to Paris by train from the Lozère station. Before that carts needed two days for a round trip to Paris.
The sandstone from the Carrière de la Troche dates back about 30 million years. This was during the Stampien era. The area was once under the sea. Sand accumulated and slowly turned to stone.
At the Carrière de la Troche you can see geological layers. At the base are Fontainebleau sands. Above that is Fontainebleau sandstone. Then comes millstone clay. Near the surface are the Lozère sands.
Look closely. You might spot traces of the past. See the marks of tools. Imagine the sweat and strain of the workers. The Carrière de la Troche closed in 1937. It is now part of the Parc Municipal Eugène Chanlon.
Today climbers scale the quarry walls. They seek a different kind of challenge. In 2004 someone added a “Romanesque window”. It adds a touch of whimsy to the rugged landscape. The Carrière de la Troche links geology industry and recreation. It shows how landscapes evolve over time. It is a place where the past and present meet. Take a moment to appreciate the Carrière de la Troche.