Lascaux Cave
Grotte de Lascaux
Monumental prehistoric art site containing Upper Paleolithic paintings and engravings primarily of animals. This UNESCO World Heritage site features ancient artistic expressions dating back 17,000 to 22,000 years. Read more…
Admission
The original cave is closed for conservation; visitors explore life-size replicas at Lascaux IV.
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Discovered in 1940, this network of caves represents a significant Upper Paleolithic decorated site. It contains prehistoric paintings and engravings, primarily of large animals, dating back between 17,000 and 22,000 years. Often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of parietal art, the site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its aesthetic quality and contribution to the understanding of early human creativity.
The original cave was closed in 1963 due to conservation issues and remains inaccessible. To preserve the ancient art, several life-size replicas have been created. Lascaux IV serves as the first complete facsimile of the original cave, utilizing new technologies to represent the prehistoric environment in its entirety.
Guided tours are available, with specialized options tailored for different age groups, including children and adults. The site has been awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. Extensive studies and publications continue to focus on the site's role as a key location for the study of prehistoric art and human history.
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