Nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”, the cave of Lascaux, in the Dordogne, holds paintings 17,000 years old. Here is how to discover it.
In the heart of the Périgord, in the Vézère valley, the cave of Lascaux is one of the summits of world cave art. Its paintings, some 17,000 years old, earn it the nickname “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”. As the original cave is closed for its preservation, it is remarkable facsimiles that we visit today. Here is the guide to visiting Lascaux and understanding this masterpiece.
Why visit Lascaux?
Lascaux offers a dizzying dive into the origins of art and of humanity. Before the aurochs, horses and deer painted by our Cro-Magnon ancestors, you measure the mastery and sensitivity of artists tens of millennia old. Beyond the emotion, the site is a wonderful lesson in Prehistory, ideal with family, and the gateway to a valley holding one of the highest densities of prehistoric sites in the world.
An extraordinary discovery
On 8 September 1940, in Montignac, young Marcel Ravidat set out to walk his dog Robot. The animal vanished into a hole: exploring it a few days later with three friends, the teenagers discovered a sanctuary covered in paintings, intact for millennia. Studied by Abbé Breuil, the cave opened to the public in 1948 and was an immediate success. But the influx of visitors damaged the paintings (the notorious “green sickness”), and minister André Malraux decided to close it in 1963 to save it.
A masterpiece of cave art
The cave unfolds a striking bestiary over about 250 metres. In the Hall of the Bulls, monumental aurochs reach five metres long; the Axial Gallery, nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel”, covers its walls with horses, deer and ibex. The artists used natural pigments — ochre for reds and yellows, manganese for blacks — lit themselves with fat lamps and raised scaffolding to reach the vaults. A virtuosity that defies time.
« Before these walls, your gaze touches the first artistic gesture of humanity, seventeen thousand years old. »
The facsimiles: Lascaux II and Lascaux IV
To preserve the original while sharing this treasure, reproductions of stunning fidelity were created. Lascaux II, opened in 1983 a stone’s throw from the cave, reproduces the Hall of the Bulls and the Axial Gallery (about 40% of the paintings) in an intimate setting. Lascaux IV, the International Centre of Cave Art opened in 2016, reproduces almost the entire cave and adds an immersive, digital staging. The two offer complementary experiences.
The Vézère valley, capital of Prehistory
Lascaux is only the jewel of an exceptional ensemble: the Vézère valley, a UNESCO site since 1979, gathers some 15 major prehistoric sites and 25 decorated caves. Around Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, the “capital of Prehistory”, you can visit the cave of Font-de-Gaume, Rouffignac and its mammoths, or the shelters where Cro-Magnon man was identified. A whole chapter of our history is revealed by this Périgord valley.
Practical tips for your visit
The facsimiles are at Montignac, about 25 km from Sarlat and 45 min from Brive. It is strongly advised to book your tickets online, especially in summer and during school holidays, as slots go fast. Lascaux IV is particularly suited to families, thanks to its interactive features; Lascaux II appeals to lovers of authenticity and intimate atmosphere. Spring and autumn offer mildness and fewer crowds. Combine the visit with other sites in the valley for a full immersion in Prehistory.
Going further
Lascaux belongs to a teeming Périgord. A few ideas:
- Explore the Dordogne and the Périgord
- Head to Rocamadour, close by in the Lot
- Discover the most beautiful villages of France nearby
- Also visit Font-de-Gaume and Rouffignac
In short
Between millennia-old paintings, striking facsimiles and a listed valley, Lascaux is a journey to the sources of art. Continue with our directory of regions, browse cities to visit and map your route on the interactive map.
