Caves and Grottes of the Dordogne
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Caves and Grottes of the Dordogne
Lascaux II Caves at Montignac The most important pre-historic grottes or caves in France, the Lascaux caves, are one of the highlights of a trip to the Dordogne. Discovered in 1940 by four boys search for their dog these caves are the highlight of a visit to the area. The original caves were damaged by the number of visitors and closed in 1963 to stop further damage. In 1983 Lascaux II was open which is an exact copy of the original. It is so realistic you unless you were told it was a reproduction you simply would not know. The paintings are almost all of animals and the colour and detail used is amazing.
La Roque Saint Christophe About halfway between Le Bugue and Montignac is the pre-historic troglodyte town of La Roque Saint Christophe which sits 90 metres above the River Vezere. These pre-historic shelters and grottes and were once home to an entire village and as you walk along it you can see remains of the forge, the church and other buildings.
Gouffre de Proumeyssac Near Le Bugue, the pre-historic caves and grottes at Proumeyssac are highly renowned. The main feature is the enormous ' Cathedral of Crystal '- a stunning, huge and beautifully lit cavern. You can pay extra and enter by a the same method as the original visitors- a suspended basket, now motorised but originally lowered by a horse. The caves and grottes are expertly lit to highlight the spectacular rock formations.
Les Grottes de Maxange Discovered in 2000, these pre-historic caves and grottes at Le Buisson de Cadouin are now open to the public.
Gouffre de Padirac Lot The Gouffre de Padirac is the favourite pre-historic caves and grottes of many in the Dordogne area. The cave is entered by boat.
Grotte de Villars A great spectacle of lighting and water bring these caves and grottes to life, and truly show the various rock formations at their best. There are also renowned pre-historic paintings, including an unusual pre-historic painting of a person( usually only animals were painted in prehistoric paintings) to see.
Grotte de Cougnac at Payrignac This has both a natural cave with a ceiling of very fine stalactites and a cave with prehistoric paintings. It is 18km from Sarlat.
Grotte de Domme Dordogne These caves are underneath the village of Domme allowing you to visit the caves and visit one of France ' s most beautiful villages at the same time.
Troglodyte houses at Belves Underneath the main square of Belves there is a pre-historic troglodyte village in grottes which is very interesting to visit. Belves is also one of France ' s most beautiful villages.
Troglodyte Fort at La Roque Gageac These are cliff side dwellings, dating from the 12th century, rather than underground caverns, and are found 40 metres up the cliffs at La Roque-Gageac on the Dordogne River.
Grotte de Rouffignac An electric train takes you into a pre-historic cavern where you will find engravings of mammoths, rhinoceros, horses and bison.
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