Here is a fascinating legend that has survived through the ages in the Saulges cave valley in Mayenne. The story tells of a woman who comes from elsewhere and calls herself Margot.
When she arrived, the locals were perplexed and mistook her for a gypsy. She found refuge in one of the mysterious caves of the Valley, where she lived as a hermit for a time. Every day, Margot traveled to the surrounding villages to beg and always accompanied by a black hen that she carried under her arm. The fear of the underworld, often mysterious and associated with darkness, combined with this strange habit of traveling with a black hen, gave rise to rumors that she might be a witch.
One day, the Devil appeared in the cave and made an offer to Margot. He asked her to lend him her cave for seven days, promising in return to make her very rich. Margot accepted the deal, entrusting her hen to the Devil to seal the pact. Back in the village, Margot, blinded by her dreams of wealth, boasted all week. Judged mad or possessed by the locals, she no longer paid attention to their stares. However, absorbed by her excitement, she did not notice thatshe returned to the cave a day too early. A few people followed her from a distance, waiting for her to come out, but she never reappearedWhen the cave was searched, Margot had disappeared. The villagers concluded that she had been captured forever by the Devil.
Despite the lack of news of the treasure, a pilgrimage was established for several years: sacrifices of chickens, sheep or other edible black animals were offered in the hope of acquiring wealth. The cave is thus named by legend, Margot Cave, although no trace of the treasure has been found. However, in the "Golden Room," fragments resembling gold flakes can be seen. For some, this confirms the veracity of the legend!
