Bara-Bahau Cave
Things to See Near Bugue
Tour of a decorated cave
Bara-Bahau. Does that name sound mysterious to you? It’s an Occitan onomatopoeia that evokes the collapsed rocks found in this decorated cave. Located near Le Bugue, in the heart of the Vézère Valley, this cave is a Paleolithic treasure trove! You’ll discover its impressive scale and colorful strata, bearers of a distant past. Want to uncover its secrets during your stay in the Périgord Noir? The Bara-Bahau Cave is just 5.6 km from our 4-star campground in the Dordogne. So go ahead and add this journey back in time to your list of things to do in the Dordogne!
An Unforgettable Trip
A historical journey into the depths of the cave
The Bara-Bahau Cave stretches for more than 100 meters, reaching a width of up to 25 meters in places. Mother Nature has sculpted this masterpiece, millennia after millennia, through erosion and water runoff.
It was in 1951 that speleologists Maud and Norbert Casteret uncovered this hidden treasure. What a surprise it must have been for them to discover magnificent cave engravings there, dating from the Middle Magdalenian period—about 15,000 years ago. These works, authenticated by Father Henri Breuil, adorn a surprisingly soft rock. Among them are a phallus, a hand, a bear, a horse measuring 210/90 cm, a reindeer measuring 112/54 cm… A veritable book of prehistoric art!
The Bara-Bahau Cave was designated a historic monument in 1961 by the French Federation of Underground Tourism¹. It is one of the oldest sites where you can view cave art in the Périgord region—and indeed, in all of France.
To discover
The Tour Route: Meet the Artists of the Bara-Bahau Cave
Your tour of the Bara-Bahau Cave begins at the entrance to the large gallery with its colorful walls, formerly known as “Trou de la Cocagne,” according to the official Périgord tourism website. Next, get ready to enter the engraving chamber, a sanctuary where cave art is revealed in all its authenticity. It is here that monumental frescoes will unfold before your eyes!
To create them, Paleolithic “artists” had to venture deep into the cave, first crawling, then moving forward on their knees, and finally standing up. Their works mainly depict animals: bison, reindeer, prehistoric horses, and aurochs in full flight!
Long before these Paleolithic people, this shelter served as a winter refuge for cave bears. The deep scratch marks they left on the rock bear witness to this.
A guided tour
Guided Tour of the Bara-Bahau Cave
Your guided tour of the Bara-Bahau Cave is always led by a fascinating expert. He or she will clearly explain the geological and prehistoric aspects of the site. The cave offers a complete immersion in cave art and the lives of our ancestors. These tours are available in French and English.
Visitor reviews attest to the guides’ adaptability: “ The tour guide took the time to tailor her remarks to both the children (ages 8 and 11) and the adults. Her explanations were clear and informative. . “A rewarding experience for everyone, leaving an unforgettable memory of this thousand-year-old site in the Périgord!”
In practice
Essential Information for Planning a Visit to the Bara-Bahau Cave
Plan your trip in advance so you don’t miss a thing at the Bara-Bahau Cave during your eco-friendly camping stay in the Dordogne:
Address: Route de Bara-Bahau, 24260 Le Bugue, Dordogne, France.
Directions from Le Val de la Marquise: less than 10 minutes via the D703.
Bara Bahau Cave Hours:
- Mid-July through late August: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Off-season: Every day except Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Before you come, check the updated schedule here.
Bara Bahau Cave Admission Prices:
- Adult: approximately 8.30 €
- Children (ages 6–15): approximately €5.80
- Discounted rates and group rates are available.
- Check the updated prices here before your visit.
Tour duration: The guided tour (the only option!) lasts 45 minutes.
Accessibility: Not suitable for people with limited mobility or for strollers.
Parking: Free parking is available at the entrance to the cave.
Contact: Use the form on the official website or call 09 62 57 44 58.
In a nutshell
Key Takeaways
| Theme | Key Information |
| Name | Bara-Bahau Cave |
| Location | Route de Bara-Bahau, 24260 Le Bugue, Dordogne, France |
| Distance from the campground | 5.6 km from Le Val de la Marquise Campground (≈10 min via D703) |
| Discovery | 1951 by Maud and Norbert Casteret |
| Dating the Engravings | Middle Magdalenian, approximately 15,000 years ago |
| Ranking | Designated a historic monument in 1961 |
| Dimensions | More than 100 m long, up to 25 m wide |
| Cave Art | Engravings of a phallus, a hand, a bear, a horse (210×90 cm), a reindeer (112×54 cm), bison, aurochs, etc. |
| Other Prehistoric Remains | Scratch marks left by cave bears (a former winter den for these animals) |
| Parking | Free parking right outside the cave |
Want to uncover the mysteries of the Bara-Bahau Cave and recharge your batteries in the Périgord? Book your stay now at our nature campground in the Dordogne, nestled in the heart of the Périgord Noir forest! With its heated pool and fishing pond, it’s the perfect starting point for exploring this site, as well as the Laugerie-Basse Rock Shelters and the Sorcier Cave in Saint-Cirq!
