Everything French Travel Magazine November 2013 | Page 60

Caves and Grottes of the Dordogne

Lascaux II Caves at Montignac

Les Grottes de Maxange

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.

Discovered in 2000, these pre-historic caves
and grottes at Le Buisson de Cadouin are
now open to the public.

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.

60

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
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