Everything French Travel Magazine November 2013 | Page 58

Les Eyzies de Taynac-Sirueil
Les Eyzies de Taynac-Sirueil (known as
Les Eyzies) is a pretty town in the Perigord
Noir region of the Dordogne that is famous
for its pre-history, grottes, caves and
troglodyte dwellings.

Guides

The pre-history site was discovered during
construction for a railroad went through Les
Eyzies in 1868, when a rock shelter in a
limestone cliff was uncovered.
In and around Les Eyzies are a series of
prehistoric rock dwellings, the caves include
some of the most significant archaeological
finds of the Upper Palaeolithic (from about
40,000 to 10,000 years ago) and Middle
Paaeolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago)
periods; they are especially noted for their
extensive wall drawings. Situated in the
Vézère Valley the Les Eyzies caves are
among a series of decorated grottoes in the
area that were collectively designated a
UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

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Things to See and Do

National Pre-History Museum

Caves and Grottes of Les Eyzies

over one million pre-historic objects. It is the
most visited museum of pre-history in
France.

There are many Caves and Grottes to be
discovered in Les Eyzies and the
surrounding area. The most famous being
Font du Guame on the outskirts of the town.

By the wealth of its collection the Museum
comes second in the world, preceded only by
the museum at St Germain-en-Laye.

The
Museum
of
Eyzies-de-Taynac

The National Pre-History Museum houses

The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Pre-History

Les

The national prehistory museum brings
together the biggest Palaeolithic collection in
France and second largest in Europe and is
one of the great things to see and do in the
area.
Pole International de la History Les Eyzies
Free centre for information on all prehistoric
sites in the area. Bilingual staff to answer
questions, such as hours of operation, maps
to get there, times for tours.
Chateau du Commarque Les Eyzies
A 12th century chateau in a valley where the
Beune runs with pre-historic caves below.
Les Eyzies Market
The Les Eyzies market is on every Monday
morning and is packed with fresh regional
produce and crafts.

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