Exploring Les Eyzies in the Dordogne
Travel Back in Time
Les Eyzies: world capital of prehistory
The town of Les Eyzies has many attractions. Visitors are drawn to its unique cave-dwelling architecture, as well as its natural landscapes, its way of life, and the warmth of its residents… People also come here, above all, to admire its prehistoric sites, which provide insight into the environment and way of life of Europe’s earliest human communities.
Prehistory plays an important role in this peaceful town in the Dordogne, both culturally and economically. Staying at a campground in the Dordogne is the perfect way to explore it.
From a cultural perspective, the numerous archaeological discoveries provide a better understanding of the way of life and environment of Europe’s earliest human communities. The Eyzies Caves provide material evidence that supports numerous scientific hypotheses. This information is valuable to both scientists and the general public, who are eager to learn more about these distant ancestors.
From an economic standpoint, these same archaeological discoveries are a powerful driver of tourism development in the Dordogne and in the Vézère Valley —also known as the Valley of Prehistory. Visitors are particularly drawn to Les Eyzies because it was in this town that prehistory, as a science, took shape. Several prominent figures made their mark in this new discipline. Notable figures include Peyrony, Lartet, Capitan, and the Abbés Breuil and Glory, whose sites are just a few minutes’ drive from our campground with a pool in the Dordogne.
The world capital of prehistory is home to the most beautiful examples of cave art discovered to date. Among them is the most recent polychrome cave open to the public: Font-de-Gaume. This town in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne department is also home to the National Museum of Prehistory. The museum is a leading authority on the Upper Paleolithic. Its collections come primarily from sites and archaeological deposits in the Valley of Prehistory. During your visit, be sure to stop by the Prehistory Interpretation Center, which has been located in the town since 2010. Furthermore, this town in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne is one of the most beautiful villages in France and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with its neighbor La Roque-Gageac and the famous Lascaux Cave.
Valley of Prehistory
Visit the caves of Les Eyzies
The caves of the Valley of Prehistory let you take a leap back into the distant past during your stay at the campground in Les Eyzies. In a sense, the experience involves encountering the inhabitants of these caves through their rock paintings, skeletal remains, and the tools they used in their daily lives.
The Roc Cave: The Roc Cave is known throughout the world for its various formations: stalactites, stalagmites, fistulous formations, gours, calcite triangles, and eccentrics…
The Combarelles Cave: Considered a major site of the Magdalenian culture, this cave contains more than six hundred cave paintings, most of which are engraved.
The Font-de-Gaume Cave: The site contains more than two hundred Magdalenian engravings and paintings.
The Pataud Shelter: The Pataud Shelter is located at the foot of the cliff north of the village of Les Eyzies.
The Cro-Magnon Shelter: The Cro-Magnon shelter contains, among other things, burial sites, as well as flint tools and ornaments attributed to the Aurignacian or Gravettian periods.
Nautical activities
Canoeing in Les Eyzies
The Dordogne is known for its water activities. When you stay at our fishing campground in the Dordogne, you can experience them all! We’ve found three agencies that offer canoe trips on the Dordogne River and kayak trips in Les Eyzies, surrounded by nature on the Dordogne River and in the surrounding area.
Hiking and Canoeing: An 11- or 14-kilometer hike along GR trails, followed by a canoe ride back to the base.
AVCK Animation Vézère Canoë Kayak: The company offers a variety of routes to suit your preferences:
-Tursac – Les Eyzies: a one-and-a-half- to two-hour trip covering 10 kilometers.
-La Roque-Saint-Christophe – Les Eyzies: a two-and-a-half- or three-hour trip covering 13 kilometers.
-Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère – Les Eyzies: a four-hour trip covering 19 kilometers.
-Château de Losse – Les Eyzies: a five-and-a-half-hour hike covering twenty-five kilometers.
Canoë 24 – Les Eyzies: This company also offers various routes:
– A three-hour, three-kilometer trip to explore Les Eyzies
– Tursac – Les Eyzies: a two-hour trip covering ten kilometers
-Saint-Léon – Les Eyzies: a three-hour trip covering fourteen kilometers
-Château de Losse – Les Eyzies: a full-day trip covering twenty-six kilometers.
Canoës Vallée Vézère: The rental company offers vacationers two-, three-, or four-person canoes. The equipment is suitable for outings with children—and even with dogs. There are several routes to choose from:
-Free-flowing river trips: a full day, a half-day, two and a half hours, or three hours
-Two- or three-day self-guided trips: a 44-kilometer route with overnight camping or stays at campgrounds
On-site restaurants
Les Eyzies Restaurant
Le Centenaire: It’s one of the best places to enjoy fine French cuisine.
- Menus: €28–78
- Menu: around €50
- Address: 2 Avenue du Cingle.
Hôtellerie du Passeur: The restaurant also serves French cuisine.
- Menu: around 45 €
- Kids’ Menu: €9.90
- Address: Place de la Mairie.
La Maison Restaurant: It serves a variety of dishes, including sea bream ceviche, snails with Maroilles cheese and mild garlic, and homemade tarama made with cod roe and crab…
- Address: Les Eyzies.
- Menu: around 25 €
- Children’s menu: €11.50
