Visit of the Lascaux Caves

Where is the cave of Lascaux?

The Dordogne department has many prehistoric sites. Located in the town of Montignac-Lascaux, in the Vézère valley, the Lascaux cave is one of the best known of them. It contains several rock paintings that represent animals that the first human communities established in Europe were hunting; in addition to drawings representing everyday objects and human figures. These paintings, whose age is estimated at eighteen thousand years, give an idea of the lifestyle and environment of our distant ancestors. For conservation reasons, the cave of Lascaux is not open to the public. However, its ornaments can be admired through the complete reproductions of Lascaux IV, at the International Center of Cave Art.

Caves of Lascaux : guided tour

Nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of cave art, the Lascaux cave in Montignac in the Dordogne was discovered in 1940 by 4 teenagers from the region. Like the National Museum of Prehistory in Eyzies in the Périgord Noir, the Lascaux cave is one of the most important prehistoric sites in France. Opened to the public in 1948, the cave suffers from overcrowding: from the following year appear the first signs of deterioration of the walls.
A disturbing change in the air balance (carbon dioxide, humidity, temperature) was also noticed in 1955. In 1963, the colonization of the paintings by green algae forced the closing of the cave to the public.
In 1970, work began on the construction of a facsimile: Lascaux II opened its doors in 1983.

Today, visitors to the famous cave have a set consisting of the first facsimile, an international exhibition and a center of cave art: Lascaux II, Lascaux III and Lascaux IV are located in Montignac, in the valley of the Vézère.
The facsimile Lascaux II allows you to discover a part of the cave identically: buried underground, this reconstruction concerns the room of the bull and the axial diverticulum, whose walls contained the greatest density of paintings and the most impressive works.
Before the visit, two airlocks trace the history of Lascaux and explain the prehistoric artistic techniques reproduced for the creation of the twin cave.

Since 2012, Lascaux III also reproduces the parts of the original cave called the Nave and the Well.
This replica, itinerant, has made it possible to discover the famous cave abroad. Finally, the international center of cave art Lascaux IV was born in 2016.
It includes this time a complete replica of all the decorated parts of the cave.
The site offers 8000 m2 of interactive visit based on many digital media: augmented reality, multidimensional screens …
Lascaux will have no more secrets for you!

So for an unforgettable vacation in Corrèze, don’t wait any longer and book your next stay in Limousin. To finalize your stay, you could take the opportunity to visit the numerous castles of Corrèze and Périgord Noir.

Tourist visit of the Lascaux Caves

Take advantage of your stay in the Dordogne Valley to discover a major prehistoric site in the world: located only a hundred kilometers from your Gibanel campsite, the caves of Lascaux can be reached in less than 1h30 by car. A great idea for a day trip!
A tributary of the Dordogne, the Vézère river concentrates on its banks an extraordinary density of prehistoric sites, you can discover a good part of them by canoe.
The most famous of them, Lascaux, is located on the heights of Montignac in the heart of the purple Périgrod.
We can only advise you, in season, to book your tickets online before your visit. Once there, you can take advantage of your visit to Montignac to also visit the park of Thot and other prehistoric sites nearby.
The Lascaux ticket office offers you twin passes allowing you to access the international center Lascaux IV and the Thot, Lascaux II and the Thot, or Lascaux IV and the geological sites of Grand Roc and Laugerie basse.

Caves of Lascaux : rates 2023

Lascaux IV ticketing (individual rates)

• Adult (from 13 years old) : 22 € (21 € by internet)
• Children from 5 to 12 years old : 14.50 € (13.50 € by internet)
• Free admission for children under 5 years old.
• Privilege card: 55 €.

Lascaux IV ticketing (group rates)

• Schoolchildren from 13 years old: 15.80 €.
• Schoolchildren up to 12 years old: 10 €.

Lascaux IV – Parc du Thot ticket office (individual rates)

• Adult (from 13 years old) : 26.20 € (24.60 € by internet)
• Child (5-12 years old) : 17.20 € (15.90 € by internet)
• Free admission for children under 5 years old
• Privilege card : 65 € (valid for 1 year)

Lascaux IV – Parc du Thot ticket office (group rates)

• Sschool from 13 years old : 19.50 €
• School children up to 12 years old : 12.30 €

Lascaux IV – Laugerie-Basse ticket office (individual rates)

• Adult (from 13 years old)  : 24.80 € (23.70 € par internet)
• Children (5-12 years old) : 16.50 € (15.70 € par internet)
• Free admission for children under 5 years old