The Grottes de Trabuc (Caves of Trabuc), located not far from the hamlet of Mas Soubeyran, constitute of the largest coherent network of underground cavities in the Cevennes. To date, these system cavities and underground galleries have been researched to a length of more than 7km. As a special attraction are the "Hundred Thousand Soldiers." These are tiny stalactites, standing side by side so close that they look like an army of soldier figurines.
As tools and bone excavations prove, people as far back as in prehistoric times have sought refuge in the caves of Trabuc, because they are at the end of a valley and are accessible only through a narrow entrance. At the same time, they offered vast space and plenty of water. Therefore, the Caves of Trubac are particularly suitable as well as an easy to defending hideout. Even in the days of the Roman Empire, those caves were still inhabited and were in use in the following centuries just as well.
During the Reformation, the Camisards used the Caves of Trabuc as a retreat. Therefore, the entrance was bricked up by royal troops to deprive the rebels of a hiding place. Later on, the Caves of Trabuc might have served as a hiding place for robbers and highwaymen. Presumably, they also gave the caves their name because the typical weapon of the robbers was the Trabuc (blunderbuss), a muzzle-loading firearm worn by bandits in that murky time.
About the stamps
Two of the stamps are part of the definitive series depicting Marianne, issued on July 16, 2014, about which I wrote here.
The third stamp is part of the series Lighthouses, designed by Pierre-André Cousin, issued on November 12, 2007:
• The lighthouse of Cap Fréhel (0.54 EUR)
• The lighthouse of l'Espiguette (0.54 EUR)
• The lighthouse of d'Ar-Men (0.54 EUR)
• The lighthouse of Grand Léjon (0.54 EUR)
• The lighthouse of Porquerolles (0.54 EUR)
• The lighthouse of Chassiron (0.54 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2327
The last two stamps are parte of the series Utility vehicles and larger scales - Youth Collection, designed by François Bruère and issued on Octomber 24, 2003:
• Bus (0.20 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2327
• Delivery vehicle (0.30 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2708
• Construction truck (0.30 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2708
• Tractor (0.20 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2479
• Fire engine - Large scale (0.20 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2327
• Police van (0.30 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2479
• Ambulance (0.30 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2479
• Postal car (0.20 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2479
• Paris bus (0.20 EUR)
• Fire engine - First aid (0.30 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2708
References
The Caves of Trabuc - anduze-info.com
Sender: Jean-Yves Gerlat
Sent from Meylan (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / France), on 16.02.2016
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