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Lascaux, Dordogne, France Guide | |
| You can't visit the actual Lascaux Cave, but you can visit Lascaux IV, the International Centre for Cave Art (Centre International d’Art Parietal). | ||
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Lascaux, the most famous prehistoric cave dwelling in France, is next to the town of Montignac on the banks of the Vézère River, 26 km (16 miles, 26 minutes) northeast of France's center of prehistoric cave discoveries at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, and 26 km (16 miles, 26 minutes) north of Sarlat-la-Canéda (map). The Lascaux Cave, which includes several different galleries with names such as the Hall of the Bulls, the Nave, and the Chamber of Felines, contains over 6,000 figures, dating from about 17,000 years ago (Magdelenian period). The most famous paintings are of animals—bulls, aurochs, cats, equines, stags, and more. There are also human figures and abstract signs. The Lascaux Cave was discovered in 1940 by a group of teenagers. They reported their find to the priest, who returned with experts from Les Eyzies. The cave was opened to the public in 1948, but within a few years it was obvious that the presence of visitors had caused significant damage to the paintings. Consequently, the cave was closed to the public in 1963 and the paintings restored and carefully monitored. Since that time, several excellent replicas have been developed, enabling people to see and appreciate these amazing works of art. Lascaux is fascinating and well worth a visit. More... The pretty town of Montignac has a helpful Office de Tourisme as well as hotels, restaurants and shops.
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Example of cave painting, Lascaux.
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