The Herault valley in Languedoc is a fascinating geological area. Lava flows, inversions, ice ages and millions of years have made this a paradise for fossil hunters.

Out walking the dog I see many areas of fossil strata – some in coal deposits not far from us, many just in lines across vineyards on our doorstep.

I will try to get some accurate maps sorted and find some references, but there does not seem to be much interest locally.

Fossil laying in a vineyard near Villa Roquette, there were tons just lying on the ground.

Some vineyards have a ‘row’ of fossils just lying on the ground. I have found a layer between two rows of vines where local medieval builders would collect them for rubble, putting tons of them into the walls of houses.

Clam like, fossils from a layer in Nizas

Other areas have ‘strata ‘, layers of rock and mud with millions of fossils in them – I pulled a handful out of the lose clay in a few minutes, the temptation to keep digging and find a huge dinosaur was almost irresistible

Fossils just sticking out of a bank by the road near Villa Roquette