Dordogne: Prehistoric Trail
From Lascaux to Les Eyzies, a 20,000-year journey through the Vézère valley.
Three days in the Vezere valley, where human occupation can be read without interruption for 55,000 years. The route links Lascaux IV, a complete replica of the cave closed to the public since 1963, the Thot park with its prehistoric animals, La Roque Saint-Christophe, the largest troglodyte cliff in Europe, then Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, world capital of prehistory with its national museum. Font-de-Gaume, the last polychrome painted cave still open, and Rouffignac, the cave of a hundred mammoths visited by small electric train, complete the trip. Font-de-Gaume strictly caps visitor numbers: booking opens several weeks ahead and fills fast. Bring a jacket, the caves stay at 12 degrees all year round.
Practical info
- Stops
- 6
- Duration
- 3 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 30 km
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
Itinerary
- 1
Lascaux IV
Réplique intégrale de la grotte, centre d'art pariétal.
- 2
Le Thot
Parc animalier préhistorique et fac-similés de fresques.
- 3
La Roque Saint-Christophe
Plus grande falaise troglodytique d'Europe, habitat depuis 55 000 ans.
- 4
Les Eyzies
Capitale mondiale de la préhistoire, musée national et abris sous roche.
- 5
Grotte de Font-de-Gaume
Dernière grotte ornée polychrome ouverte au public.
- 6
Rouffignac
Grotte aux cent mammouths, visite en train électrique.
