Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley

By Rachel Heller

What are the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley?

This collection of sites consists of 147 sites dispersed over 15 locations in the Vézère Valley in France. All of them date from the Paleolithic period. Some are caves that people either lived in or sheltered in as they lived nomadic lives. About 25 of them are decorated with prehistoric cave paintings and/or carvings. By far the most famous of these decorated caves is Lascaux Cave, with its vivid paintings of animals.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Making a purchase through an affiliate link will mean a small commission for this website. This will not affect your price.

Why are these prehistoric sites and caves a UNESCO World Heritage site?

The artworks in some of the caves are, according to UNESCO, “universally recognized as masterpieces of prehistoric art,” particularly those in Lascaux cave. The artwork and objects found at these sites give a very rare glimpse into civilization of the Paleolithic period, both in terms of artistic value and in terms of anthropological insights.

What can you expect on a visit to the prehistoric sites in the Vézère Valley?

I’ll divide this section into three sub-groups: the one I visited with my husband, the ones that might also be worth visiting, and the ones that are closed to the public or not worth visiting.

The sites we visited

Lascaux

Most people who visit this area visit Lascaux Cave, which I highly recommend. To be precise, it’s not actually Lascaux Cave, but rather an exact replica called Lascaux IV. Apparently the high number of visitors to the real cave have damaged the paintings by introducing fungi and humidity.

But never mind, the Lascaux IV copy is fascinating, and so realistic that I began to doubt whether I had misunderstood and it was actually the real one. Admission includes an audio guide that explains what you see as you move through the cave. The artworks are surprisingly beautiful, and the “atelier” that you enter after visiting the cave has more detailed explanations of the more prominent works. Book your ticket ahead to avoid waiting in line.

La Madeleine

Like at Lascaux, visitors can’t actually see the “trogloditic” dwellings here at Village de la Madeleine. This location is know for archeological finds from the Neolithic Magdalenian culture (12-17,000 years ago), including some pretty little carvings and various hunting-related tools. The dwellings were carved or occurred naturally in the side of a cliff, and the prehistoric people seem to have used them as temporary shelters.

Further up the cliff are some more caves. Used by the Magdalenians, they were later used by medieval people, so any traces of the prehistoric inhabitants are gone. The “village,” however, includes a few of the later cave dwellings, a charming tiny church, and the medieval ruins of a castle on top of the hill.

Le Grand Roc

Hoping to see more prehistoric art, we joined a tour of the Le Grand Roc cave. We were disappointed, however, to see that the tour was about the cave’s geological features – stalactites and stalagmites and such – rather than any prehistoric traces. When asked, the guide said there were no artworks there. It’s a mystery to me why this cave is included on the UNESCO list. Nevertheless, if you enjoy seeing lots of crystals and a plethora of pretty mineral formations, you might like to visit this cave anyway.

Sites that might be worth visiting

Laugerie Haute

This cave is the biggest at about 200 meters (656 feet) long and ample evidence was found here of human occupation. It is also home to a museum of prehistory inside the ruins of a castle. Its collection includes thousands of pieces excavated from various caves in the Vézère Valley. It also covers the evolution of humanity from its origins in Africa, through the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon and the people who resided in the local caves.

Font-de-Gaume

In this cave, visitors can see 230 cave paintings like at Lascaux, but in real life. Most of the images are of animals like bison, ibex, mammoths, etc. Strictly limiting the number of visitors (78 per day) and the length of their visits (30 minutes), as well as various other measures to protect the paintings, allows the cave to remain viewable.

Les Combarelles

This cave contains 800 engravings and drawings dating from the Magdalenian period. Most are of the usual range of animals, but this cave also contains a number of human figures. Only seven people are allowed in at a time – book your tickets ahead of time for the guided tour. In the off-season you can arrange a longer tour with up to four people to visit both Fond-de-Gaume and Combarelles, but they suggest you start with the standard tour and then decide.

Abri de Cro-Magnon

This location is where the first Cro-Magnon burial was discovered. Like Laugerie Haute, it is now a museum about the Cro-Magnon people and the evolution of humanity. It even has a “holographic experience” to illustrate the life of the Cro-Magnon.

Le Cap Blanc

This rock shelter is known for its 13-meter-long frieze that shows animals in relief. It might be interesting to see the frieze. In the shelter, archaeologists also discovered a skeleton, now known as Magdalenian Girl. Guided tours are available, but the number of visitors is strictly limited.

Cro de Granville (cro de Rouffignac)

This cave includes eight kilometers (5 miles) of natural passageways. Most of the approximately 250 artworks are engravings or drawings, and they’re mostly of animals, especially mammoths. Like so many of these caves, the number of visitors is limited.

Other sites, either not worth visiting or closed to the public

Laugerie Basse

This cave is right next to Le Grand Roc. We ran out of time and didn’t get to see it, but it was indeed used as a dwelling by the Magdalenians. There’s some child-friendly reconstructions, apparently, but the artwork has been moved to museums. It doesn’t sound very interesting, but if you go to Le Grand Roc, you might as well see this one too.

Abri du Poisson

This rock shelter, quite nearby Grand Roc and Laugerie basse, is named after fish because of the one-meter-long (3 ft) fish engraved on its ceiling. It is on private property and does not seem to be open to the public.

La Micoque

This isn’t a rock shelter or cave, but rather a deposit of sediment. Archeological finds at this location – flint tools – point to the early Paleolithic period. Guided tours only by appointment.

La Mouthe

This cave contains cave paintings, but it is on private property and is closed to protect it.

Roc de Saint-Cirq

Most of the artwork in this cave is engravings of the Magdalenian period and earlier. They show animals, geometric symbols and human figures. The site was sold in 2024, and it’s not clear whether it will be reopened to the public. If it is, the number of visitors will undoubtedly be limited.

Le Moustier

This site comprises two rock shelters. In the upper one, a number of stone tools were found; in the lower, two Neanderthal skeletons: one adult and a newborn. It’s not clear whether this site can be visited, and in any case all of the artifacts have been removed, presumably to museums.

I would add La Madeleine and Le Grand Roc to the list of sites not worth visiting (unless you’re into geology).

Are the prehistoric sites of the Vézère Valley worth visiting?

As you can see from my grouping above, some are worth visiting and some aren’t. I would highly recommend at least visiting Lascaux IV: it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area. Then, since they’re all nearby each other, visit one or two more. I regret not seeing the museum at Laugerie Haute as well. Of course, if cave art is your particular interest, you could spend a week here to see them all.

What sorts of travelers would like these prehistoric sites?

Anyone interested in archaeology and/or prehistoric human societies would find the prehistoric sites of the Vézère Valley interesting. Some would be appealing to children, particularly Laugerie basse and Abri de Cro-Magnon.

Tips for visiting the prehistoric sites of the Vézère Valley

There are strict limits on visitors at many of these caves, so plan your trip ahead and book the tours to avoid disappointment.

Lascaux IV has no visitor limit, since it’s not the original cave. By the way, there is also a Lascaux II nearby, but that one only has replicas of certain parts of the cave, while Lascaux IV is a complete replica. Expect to spend some time at Lascaux IV; I’d say it will take two-three hours to see it well.

It might be a good plan to start with the museum at Laugerie Haute so you’re clear on the history. Then move on to Lascaux IV and then, if you have time and have booked tickets ahead, move on to one or more of the other caves.

Use the map below to find accommodations in the Vézère Valley:

Parc du Thot might be a good destination if you’re traveling with children. It’s a prehistory museum and wildlife park, but it looks like it’s very interactive and child-friendly. Book tickets here.

Except for Lascaux IV, which is completely wheelchair accessible, expect to climb steps and/or walk on uneven surfaces.

Other UNESCO sites not too far away: Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion (1.5-2 hours away), Bordeaux (2 hours), Episcopal City of Albi (3 hours), Saint-Savin sur Gartempe (3-3.5 hours) and the Canal du Midi (4 hours).

Where are these prehistoric sites and caves?

The sites are ranged along the Vézère Valley in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Dordogne. Most are close to the village of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil and the valley that leads northeast of there. Lascaux IV is in Montignac, at the other end of the valley. Montignac is about a two-hour drive from Bordeaux.

If you just want to see Lascaux, you could do it by public transport, taking a train to Condat-Le Lardin, then a bus from there, or you can take a tour like this half-day tour from Sarlat.

If you want to see more than just Lascaux, either rent a car or sign up for a tour:

• This tour, leaving from Sarlat-la-Canéda, includes Lascaux IV and Rouffignac and the Museum at Laugerie Haute.
• This private tour from Bordeaux also includes Lascaux and Rouffignac, plus a few other sights.

Here are the websites to find information on each of the sites I’ve listed above as worth visiting. This includes information like opening hours, admission fees and how to reserve a place on a tour. Some of the sites are in French, but you can use a translation app.

• Lascaux IV (Buy tickets ahead here.)
• Laugerie Haute
• Font-de-Gaume
• Les Combarelles
• Abri de Cro-Magnon
• Le Cap Blanc
• Cro de Granville (cro de Rouffignac)

Have you been to any of the Prehistoric Sites in the Vézère Valley? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!