In the heart of France, the Neanderthal Man Museum in La Chapelle-aux-Saints offers a unique immersion into the era of the Neanderthals. This historic site reveals the evolution of hominid species through a highly informative exhibition. Uncover the secrets of this prehistoric time during your visit to this internationally renowned museum, a must-see for prehistory enthusiasts and families in search of discovery. Don't miss this cultural activity during your stay at our campsite in Corrèze.
Introduction to the Neanderthal Man Museum
Located at the heart of La Chapelle-aux-Saints, the Neanderthal Man Museum stands as a sanctuary dedicated to prehistory. Inaugurated in 1996, it welcomes archaeology and anthropology enthusiasts, highlighting the remarkable discovery made on August 3, 1908.
It is important to know that La Chapelle-aux-Saints was the cradle of an archaeological revolution on this historic day. Thanks to Paul and Jean Bouyssonie, two brothers Amédée, a nearly complete Neanderthal skeleton was found, buried according to a funerary rite dating back about 40,000 years.
The permanent exhibition at the Neanderthal Man Museum, meticulously organized, offers a faithful reconstruction of the Neanderthal burial. Illustrated panels provide a detailed presentation of the displayed items and the impact of this discovery on our understanding of the past. In this museum, you will also find animal fossils, some of which no longer exist, attesting to an ecosystem now gone.
Tour Path of the Neanderthal Man Museum
The tour of the Neanderthal Man Museum is conducted through three areas:
- Under a marquee of 96 m²: here, the story immerses you in the adventure of the Amédée brothers, priests and amateur archaeologists, who discovered the skeleton at La Chapelle-aux-Saints. It also unveils the timeline of human evolution through posters and showcases displaying, among other things, the flint tools crafted by the Neanderthals.
- In the current museum: you will discover the burial, with an exact reconstruction of the Neanderthal tomb in a folded position, evidence of a deliberate burial, along with casts of the original bones.
- In the versatile exhibition halls of 150 m²: you will learn more about the early scientific mistakes, including the idea that Neanderthal was hunched, until Jean-Louis Heim proved in the 1980s that he walked upright, just like Homo sapiens. Indeed, this paleontologist, a professor at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), has a room named after him. Here, you can consult and admire the results of his studies on man conducted at La Chapelle-aux-Saints.
Events at the Neanderthal Man Museum
The immersion promised by the Neanderthal Man Museum is not limited to the permanent tour and temporary exhibitions. Indeed, activities are orchestrated occasionally, usually during the summer season.
Thus, a quiz-game is offered free of charge to children, allowing them to learn in a fun and exciting way. This takes place in summer and on certain school holiday days.
For an even more lively experience, each visit ends with a real journey through time, thanks to an introduction to fire-making. Visitors then step into the shoes of early humans, creating a flame that reestablishes a direct connection with their ancestral gestures.
Finally, note that the Prehistoric Book Fair, held in late July in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, organizes enriching encounters with experts passionate about paleontology, archaeology, and prehistory.
Practical Information
To prepare well for your visit to the Neanderthal Man Museum, here are some important details to know:
- Address: Sourdoire, 19 120 La Chapelle-aux-Saints.
- Distance from our campsite Le Gibanel: 48 minutes by car (43.0 km) via the D169 road.
- Rates: €5.50/adult, €3.50/child, free for children under 6 years old.
- Hours: open from April to All Saints' Day from 2:30 PM to 6 PM (except Sunday), and in July and August from 10 AM to 12 PM and from 2:30 PM to 6 PM.
- About the tour: this museum only offers guided tours of 45 minutes. Reservations are mandatory, either by phone at +33 5 55 91 18 00, or online.
- Parking: located at the Place de la Mairie, next to La Chapelle-aux-Saints.
Book an unforgettable holiday at our 4-star campsite by the Dordogne and dive into the history of your origins by visiting the Neanderthal Man Museum.