Period of site occupancy Néolithique - Moyen Âge (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Dry stone housing and enclosure
XIIe siècle
Evidence of human presence
Evidence of human presence XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Medieval currencies discovered on site
12 septembre 1924
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 12 septembre 1924 (≈ 1924)
Remnant Protection Order
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Prehistoric habitats of the Fraux (rests): by order of 12 September 1924
Origin and history
The prehistoric houses of the Fraux constitute a major archaeological site located in the municipality of Virargues, in the regional natural park of the Volcans d'Auvergne, at 1,200 meters altitude. This plateau housed dry stone constructions and a enclosure, revealed by archaeological excavations. The remains, including thick walls and a ditch, attest to a continuous human occupation since Neolithic, with physical traces as 12th century coins confirming a medieval presence.
The site was officially recognized for its historical importance and classified as historical monuments by order of 12 September 1924. This protection highlights its role in understanding prehistoric and medieval lifestyles in Auvergne. The excavations documented a complex spatial organization, combining habitats and defensive systems, reflecting a sustainable adaptation of populations to this volcanic territory.
Located in the department of Cantal, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the site des Fraux is part of a landscape marked by volcanoism and an ancient rural history. The remains, although partially preserved, offer rare evidence of dry stone construction techniques, characteristic of the Neolithic and medieval societies of the region. Their study helps inform cultural and technological transitions over several millennia.
