You can only visit in small groups with a guide, with most tours done in French although there is an activated recording in a headset in many languages and the tour takes around 50 minutes. You quickly forget you are in a replica as you wander through the cave looking in wonder at the drawings and the bear skulls. The most monumental panel is of 36 lions, chasing down nearly 100 mammoths, bison and rhinoceroses.
It truly is fascinating.
The grounds of the Cavern are well landscaped and there is food and drink available. The Galerie de l’Aurignacien museum gives some very interesting information on the cavern and life as it was 32,000 years ago.
You'll find this incredible cave and museum near the city of Pont d'Arc, a lively place filled with tourists, and just a few kilometres from the original cave and the famous gorge.
Left: Details of horse drawings
Above: The panel of the chasing lions
Right: A very modern ancient cave
© Patrick Aventurier
Top tips:
Reserve online before you go, the number of people able to enter is limited: Website cavernedupontdarc
There is a free shuttle service from the bus station at Vallon Pont d'Arc.
A visit to the Galerie de l’Aurignacien is unguided and takes about 45 minutes – you can visit this before or after the cave.