Daily shared tour of the Paleolithic art of Dordogne

Free cancellation

Place: Sarlat La Caneda

Duration: 9 hours

Language: English

Availability: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday

Mobile voucher accepted

Instant confirmation

Small group

Do this because

A full day exploring the fascinating history of the Dordogne Cave paintings
Explore the magical prehistoric sites
Visit the state-of-the-art Lascaux IV complex

What to expect

Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown artists created breathtaking cave paintings of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area.

During this day tour, you will be introduced to this fascinating art and to the people who made it. Begin the day in Les Eyzies de Tayac with a guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum. Opened in 2004, this national museum possesses the largest collection of prehistoric artifacts in the world.

Continue to Montignac where you will visit Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of the original cave. Opened in 2016, Lascaux IV is a triumph of technology. Unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux IV employs different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops and immersive technology to bring it to life. In fact, the atmosphere inside the replica cave is just like that of a real cave: dark, damp and muffled.

The tour will end with the visit of Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings. The Rouffignac cave was already mentioned in 1575 by François de Belleforest. In his Cosmographie universelle, he cites “paintings and animal traces”. In the 19th century, the cave was known as a tourist attraction. Famous archaeologists like Henry Breuil, André Glory, and Martel had visited the cave in the early 20th century, but it was only in 1956 when Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two prehistorians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and confirmed the cave art.

The order of the visits can vary.

Maximum 8 persons per tour.
Tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers (adults) to operate. In case minimum numbers are not reached we will offer to reschedule or refund your tour
English tours of the Caves are very limited in number, most of the visits are in French.Your guide will explain the cave before and after the tour as simultaneous translation in the cave is strictly forbidden
Comments are made in French during the travel on the Electric train in Rouffignac, but your guide will introduce the cave beforehand and will make commentaries at the bottom of the cave in English
This tour is not wheelchair accessible
Warm jackets are highly recommended – 14°C (57F) inside the caves
Children under 4 years old are not allowed on the tour