Step back in time as you venture into the heart of the Dordogne Valley prehistoric caves, home to some of the world’s most well-preserved examples of Paleolithic art. Offering a glimpse into their daily rituals, beliefs, and the creatures that once roamed these lands.
La Grotte de Lascaux
Now the most famous caves in Dordogne, in 1940, four teenagers discovered the caves of Lascaux in Montignac.
The site became accessible to the public in 1948. Regrettably, excessive tourist activity resulted in irreversible damage, leading to the closure of the original Lascaux cave in 1963. A replica cave called Lascaux 2 opened to visitors in 1983. In 2016, the international centre of parietal art, Lascaux 4, launched.
The international centre for parietal art faithfully recreates the entire Lascaux cave. Lascaux 4 provides an opportunity to explore the history of prehistoric times and cave art in the Périgord Noir Dordogne region.
Centre International de l’Art Pariétal, Avenue de Lascaux, 24290, Montignac
Abri de la Madeleine
Abri de la Madeleine is a remarkable natural location that has been a magnet for humans from ancient times until now. Around 17,000 years ago, semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers made their homes at the base of the cliff. The prehistoric remains discovered at this site are associated with the Magdalenian civilisation of prehistoric times.
At the midpoint of the cliff, you will encounter an ancient troglodyte village that was inhabited from the High Middle Ages until the late 1800s. Within the rock are various buildings, including a remarkable Gothic chapel constructed in the 15th century. You will find the remnants of the 13th-century Château de Petit-Marzac on the limestone plateau. This was built by those who skillfully utilised the natural resources of stone, wood, water, and agricultural land.
Le Petit marzac, Route de la Madeleine, 24620 Tursac
La Roque Saint-Christophe
La Roque Saint-Christophe is a vast cliff that has been inhabited from prehistoric times to the Renaissance. It is a troglodyte city where you can explore the living conditions of our ancestors.
Distinguished by its impressive shapes, diverse habitats, and long history of human presence, it is an extraordinary display of stunning and untouched scenery. This massive limestone structure, stretching one kilometre in length and towering eighty meters in height, has been continuously shaped by the forces of the river and frost, creating numerous rock shelters and extensive elevated terraces. These natural cavities have been used by humans since prehistoric times, later modified during the Middle Ages to serve as a fortress and a cave-dwelling city until the start of the Renaissance.
Visiting the prehistoric sites helps to gain an understanding of how the troglodyte dwellings were constructed. You can find the marks that our predecessors have left on the stone, along with a collection of civil engineering equipment that has been reconstructed to honour the remarkable builders of the Middle Ages.
2433 Rte de la Préhistoire, 24620 Peyzac-le-Moustier
Grotte de Rouffignac
Rouffignac cave, also known as the “cave of the hundred mammoths”, contains numerous engravings. Visitors are guided through the cave via a small electric train, making it a great place for families to explore. Situated in Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac, amidst a forest, it is also possible to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a picnic.
24580 Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin
Troglodyte Caves in Brantôme Abbey
The abandoned Brantôme Benedictine abbey has not been used since the French Revolution. You can discover the thousand-year history that has influenced the abbey’s architecture through these caves in Dordogne. Explore the cave known as the “Last Judgment,” the St. Sicaire fountain, dovecotes, and the remains of a troglodyte mill.
The tour concludes at the museum dedicated to Fernand Desmoulin, a painter and engraver from the late 1800s.
Boulevard Charlemagne 24310
Grotte des Combarelles
The Grotte des Combarelles was designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979. Inside, there are ancient engravings of animals that date back to the Magdalenian period. Over 800 of these engravings have been identified, along with a few drawings. Interestingly, there are also some uncommon depictions of humans, basic in nature, carved onto the walls of the cave.
Route de Sarlat, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, 24620
Grotte de Villars
The Villars Cave is a vast underground network that extends over 13 km of explored terrain. This network has massive chambers connected by passages formed by an underground river. The presence of infiltration waters has given rise to breathtaking natural formations. Visitors can marvel at the remarkable calcite flows, delicate stalactites, pools, translucent draperies, and numerous stalagmites.
The ancient wall paintings were uncovered in 1958 and represent the artistic heritage of our forefathers. Over 19,000 years ago, the Cro-Magnon people regularly visited the Cluzeau area as nomadic foragers and hunters. This ancient community cultivated a sophisticated cultural environment that manifested itself through artistic creativity.
In Villars, the ancient artists utilised a black natural pigment called manganese, which was crushed into a powdered form and mixed with a binding agent. Certain paintings, like the round area portraying horses, have a delicate layer of calcite, resulting in a unique blue shade. This artwork features numerous horses, ibexes and buffaloes and is regarded as one of the few depictions of humans in prehistoric art.
Le Cluzeau, 24530 Villars
L’Abri Cro-Magnon
The Abri Cro-Magnon Museum is situated where the initial burial of Cro-Magnon, the renowned prehistoric man, was uncovered in 1868.
Uncover fresh methods to engage with our predecessors and explore our history again.
There is a range of attractions, such as holographic film, touch pads, scenography, and a trail set in a forested area.
Chemin de Cro Magnon Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, 24620
Grottes de Maxange
The Maxange caves in Dordogne were found in 2000. They are a wonder of nature, showcasing one-of-a-kind eccentric concretions that create a mesmerising spectacle. Maxange is now acknowledged as one of France’s most stunning caves, filled with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.
La Grotte aux Etoiles Mestreguiral Le Buisson de Cadouin, Le Buisson de Cadouin, 24480
Grottes du Roc de Cazelle
The site had been occupied non-stop, including during ancient times, until a short while ago. It was carefully dug up and transformed into a stronghold during the Medieval period. Later on, around the beginning of the previous century, it underwent a conversion into residential property.
You will be taken on a journey from the prehistoric era to the Middle Ages and the year 1966 as you explore various displays and settings that portray the lives of our ancestors.
A farming couple, the final occupants, resided in a house completely carved into the rock. This historical dwelling, adhering to the traditions and customs of the Perigord region, has been restored with sensitivity. Close by is a considerable assortment of ancient items and tools and a shelter for farm animals.
The renovation of Cazelle has been carefully conducted to preserve the essence of the location and its historical significance.
Grottes du Roc de Cazelle Route de Sarlat, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, 24620
Grotte de Domme
The Grotte de Domme is one of the natural caves in Dordogne. The cave is accessible from the heart of the village as it was built beneath the bastide. The cave’s scenography changes depending on the time period, offering themed experiences. Guided tours provide insight into the region’s geology and the natural artistry of the cave formations. When leaving the cave, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley thanks to an elevator.
13 place de la halle, Domme, 24250
Abri du Poisson
The Abri du Poisson is a prehistoric shelter renowned for its notable feature: a carved fish from the Gravettian era. To explore this site, visitors can make arrangements for a guided tour at the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume.
24620, Les Eyzies
Grotte du Grand Roc
The Grand Roc cave is a remarkable treasure on a stunning cliff above the Vézère River. Renowned worldwide, this natural wonder is known for its diverse and beautiful crystallisations. Take a journey into the past and explore this legendary cave.
Avenue de Laugerie Route de Périgueux, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac 24620
Gouffre De Proumeyssac
During the 18th century, the Gouffre de Proumeyssac gained fame due to its frightening stories. However, it was not until 1907 that the cave was actually explored. Now known as the “Cathedral of Crystal,” Proumeyssac is currently the biggest developed cave in Périgord.
This vast underground chamber is easily accessed through a tunnel and is decorated with numerous dense and beautifully formed crystals. The site’s unique atmosphere is enhanced by adding new lighting and accompanied by music. Knowledgeable guides provide commentary during the visit, ensuring that it is an unforgettable experience.
To enhance the experience, visitors have the opportunity to take a ride in a basket known as the nacelle, accommodating a maximum of eleven people. Initially installed in 1907, this nacelle is suspended from a single cable and rotates unpredictably, providing occupants with a captivating, all-encompassing sight of the concretions.
The new nacelle is able to replicate this feeling with the help of a specialised technical system. In this instance, the floor moves and brings the passengers on a complete 360° rotation.
Route de Proumeyssac, 24260 Audrix
The caves of Dordogne are a true treasure in the southwestern France region and well worth visiting for any history and art enthusiast. The rich prehistoric paintings within these caves offer a remarkable glimpse into the past, showcasing our early ancestors’ incredible creativity and skill. Cave visits allow visitors to immerse themselves in a world that existed thousands of years ago, connecting with a time long gone. It is an awe-inspiring experience that leaves a lasting impression and a deep appreciation for the fascinating journey of human civilisation. So, if you find yourself in the Dordogne department, don’t miss the opportunity to venture into the depths of the caves in Dordogne and witness the masterpieces of prehistoric art and engravings of mammoths that have stood the test of time.
