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Must visit in Dordogne: the caves of Lascaux

Uncover the mysteries of ancient art at the caves of Lascaux in Dordogne. A must-visit destination for history and art enthusiasts!

It is the most richly painted prehistoric cave ever discovered: the Lascaux in Dordogne, France. It is not for nothing that people from all over the world visit these caves.

In 1940, a group of friends in Dordogne stumbled upon a hole in the ground by chance. They decided to make the hole bigger and were eventually able to descend through it. Where they then suddenly found themselves is almost unbelievable. They were standing in the middle of a cave whose walls were covered with drawings in earth colours. At the time, they were the first to see it. Today, it is one of the 'must visits' for all holidaymakers in Dordogne.

The Lascaux caves feature rock paintings dating from 10,000 - 15,000 BC. Bison, deer, rhinos, cattle, and more animal species are painted there in red, yellow and brown. The paintings tell stories of how people lived in prehistoric times, making them a treasure trove of information for us. The Lascaux Caves are therefore listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the category Prehistoric sites and painted caves in the Vézère Valley.

In the 1960s, the Lascaux caves were visited by large numbers of people. So many, in fact, that the caves could not cope. Mould developed on the rock paintings. The cave had to close to the public. To allow people to still see the paintings, a replica was built 200 metres away: Lascaux II. Because so much is technologically possible these days, a 4th version of the caves was even recreated. Using 3D scans, styrofoam and specialised restoration painters, the entire cave has been recreated in detail. So those who visit Lascaux today not only enjoy the prehistoric wonder, but also learn all about the fascinating technology that makes the visit possible.

You can visit the Lascaux caves in the Vézère valley, in the municipality of Montignac in the Dordogne department. Bordeaux and Toulouse are about 2.5 hours' drive away from the caves. The caves also have a visitor centre, which is also very special. Outside is a trail with films and sound effects that allow you to learn about the life of cavemen. With interactive installations and technology, they take you back to the 1940s Lascaux caves.

Planning to go to Dordogne and visit the Lascaux caves? Then check out our holiday homes in Dordogne here:

The caves of Lascaux

The caves of Lascaux today