Visit the Lascaux Caves
A Unique Heritage
Where are the Lascaux Caves located?
The Lascaux Cave is one of the most important sites in European prehistory. The cave is known for its numerous engravings and paintings on the walls, which are several thousand years old and primarily depict animals. The Paleolithic cave is not open to the general public for conservation reasons, but faithful replicas of the cave in the Vézère Valley have been built: Lascaux II and Lascaux IXV.
The Lascaux Caves are located in Montignac, north of Sarlat, in the heart of the Vézère Valley. This is France’s most famous cave with prehistoric paintings, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its reputation extends far beyond the country’s borders, and it is a must-see for tourists visiting the Dordogne.
The entrance to the Lascaux Caves is easily accessible from various well-known destinations in the area and from the campground in the Dordogne. The site is located 45 minutes by car from Brive-la-Gaillarde and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Rocamadour; 26 minutes from Sarlat and 55 minutes from Collonges-la-Rouge; 1 hour and 24 minutes from Limoges, 2 hours from Bordeaux, and 2 hours and 20 minutes from Toulouse. Exploring the caves and learning about the lives of prehistoric people is a must-do during your camping trip in Lascaux.
In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors
Who painted the Lascaux cave paintings?
Cave paintings are one of the common features of prehistoric natural caves. All over the world, there are caves where the people who lived there felt the need to depict their daily lives, their environment, their way of life, and above all, their beliefs, through these drawings. You can discover many of them near the campground with a pool in the Dordogne.
As for the Lascaux Cave, the drawings were created 20,000 years ago. Researchers point out, however, that the creators of these paintings, even though they spent time in caves, lived primarily in open-air shelters.
The inhabitants of the Lascaux Cave mainly painted animals. The drawings depict their way of life, specifically hunting. Reindeer, wild horses, and cattle were among their favorite prey. These people also used the tendons and bones of these animals to make tools.
Places to visit
Visit the Lascaux Cave
Just a few kilometers from the Dordogne fishing campground, visitors have been able to admire a second reconstruction of the Lascaux Cave since 2016 at the International Center for Cave Art. The building’s architecture—particularly its immense glass facade—captivates many visitors. The interior design, however, is more understated, allowing the exhibits themselves to take center stage. Digital tools are the best allies for cultural and scientific outreach here. Visitors each receive a tablet that offers them different content depending on where they are in the center.
The tour begins outdoors, where visitors can admire the prehistoric landscapes and wildlife. Visitors then explore the life-size reconstruction of the original cave. They are then invited to enter a space where the site’s rich history is put into context—from its discovery to the realization of its fragility, including the skill of the Lascaux “painters.” Afterward, you are free to visit the nearby prehistory museum.
In practice
Lascaux Caves: Hours and Admission Prices
Regarding hours, the last admission is two hours before closing time.
- January 27 – April 3: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- April 4 – July 3: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- July 4–July 9: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
- July 20 – August 2: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- August 3 – August 21: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- August 22–August 30: 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
- August 31 – September 30: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- October 1 – November 3: 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- November 4 – January 3, 2021: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Lascaux IV
- Adults: Individual: (ages 12 and up): €20 / Groups: €15
- Children ages 5 to 12: €12.90
- Free admission for children under 5
- Private tour: €705
- VIP Supplement: 125 €
- School-age (up to 12 years old): €9.50
Lascaux II
- Student: 6.50 €
- Adults: Individuals: €14 / Groups: €11
- Children ages 5 to 12: €9
- Free admission for children under 5.
For your information
Plan Your Visit to the Lascaux Caves
- Each tour lasts about two and a half hours, including one hour with a guide and one to one and a half hours of self-guided exploration.
- The guided tour always takes place before the self-guided tour. The temperature inside the cave is 13°C; part of the tour takes place outdoors.
- Once visitors leave the premises, they cannot re-enter the tour route.
- Visitors may take photos in the “workshops” area where the paintings have been reproduced; however, they may not do so inside the cave.
- Visitors may bring small pets that can be carried in a bag.
- Visitors may bring strollers onto the self-guided tour route, but not into the cave—strollers and baby carriers can be left at the coat check.
- The facility can lend out wheelchairs. Silence is required during the guided tour.
- The Montignac-Lascaux International Center for Cave Art has facilities designed to accommodate people with physical, mental, visual, or hearing disabilities.