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Dordogne Palaeolithic Art Tour: Museum and Caves
Explore Dordogne’s prehistoric art: visit the National Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV cave, and Rouffignac cave with expert guides.
Explore Dordogne’s prehistoric art: visit the National Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV cave, and Rouffignac cave with expert guides.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Grotte de Rouffignac - Discover Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings
- Musee National de Prehistoire - In 2018, the museum was listed on Time Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places To Visit.
- Lascaux IV - Experience Lascaux IV, a complete new replica retracing the discovery of the famous decorated cave.
- Grotte de Rouffignac - Discover Rouffignac Cave that possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings
- Musee National de Prehistoire - In 2018, the museum was listed on Time Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places To Visit.
- Lascaux IV - Experience Lascaux IV, a complete new replica retracing the discovery of the famous decorated cave.
What's Included
- Entrance fees to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV and Rouffignac Cave
- Professional guide
- English speaking qualified driver guide
- Live commentary on board
- Entrance fees to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV and Rouffignac Cave
- Professional guide
- English speaking qualified driver guide
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Pick up and drop off at the hotel
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Pick up and drop off at the hotel
Additional Information
Join a small group tour to explore the most important sites associated with Palaeolithic art in the Dordogne. The tour includes a visit to the National Prehistory Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Palaeolithic artifacts. Next, experience Lascaux IV cave, an exact replica of the original Lascaux, where you can marvel at the ancient…
Join a small group tour to explore the most important sites associated with Palaeolithic art in the Dordogne. The tour includes a visit to the National Prehistory Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Palaeolithic artifacts. Next, experience Lascaux IV cave, an exact replica of the original Lascaux, where you can marvel at the ancient paintings. Finally, visit Rouffignac cave, known as the cave of 100 mammoths, to see original engravings and drawings, with mammoths being the most depicted animal among all the Palaeolithic caves open to the public.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Children under 4 years old are not allowed on the tour
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- It is cold in the caves (13°C / 56°F), warm clothing is strongly recommended
- Electric train visit in Rouffignac, comments made in French during time of travel. Guide will introduce cave beforehand and will make commentaries at the bottom of the cave in English
- Please note that the infant seats are available upon request, please inform us at the moment of the booking (number and age of the children)
- Pets are not allowed on the tour
- English tours of the Caves of Lascaux IV are very limited in number, most of the visits are in French. Your guide will explain the cave before and after the tour as simultaneous translation in the cave is strictly forbidden
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(87 Ratings)
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1 star
Sally
Oct 23, 2024
Rouffignac alone is worth the money, but Martin is incredible! - I was amazed at just how much we got to see during this trip. Rouffignac alone would have been worth the cost—it was truly emotional to see the art in person—but along the drive Martin managed to fit so many other sites in. His knowledge is exhaustive, and he left me with a couple of great book recommendations. The museum stop was great; I’m surprised we’re still learning so many new things about our ancestors just from this small region and Les Eyzies was a cute place to walk around at lunchtime. I was skeptical that Lascaux would feel meaningful as it’s a replica, but I found that the tour there where they talked about artistic techniques was a great way to round out the day.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. While much of the trip is accessible, those with limited mobility might find it to be a lot of walking. We had some older folks in our group who seemed to have a harder time with the long day.
2. At Rouffignac, the tour is in French. Martin had a headset for everyone and translated during the tour, but I found it difficult hearing both languages at once and ended up removing the headset. I understand enough French to get something out of the tour without translation, and I’m glad I chose to focus on what I could see and could ask follow up questions later. If you’re someone like me at an advanced intermediate level, go without the headset and take in the sights instead.
3. Please bring cash to tip your guide! Martin went out of his way to drop people at their hotels in the rain and no one else tipped him. I couldn’t believe the rudeness.
4. I can’t believe this has to be said but don’t take pictures in the cave.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V_roniquelv5388mv
Sep 6, 2024
To do without hesitation - The tours are perfectly organized.
The reproduction of the cave is very interesting, it is completed by a playful space suitable for all ages.
The only negative is the Award of Entry, excessive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_w
Sep 6, 2024
Great tour - It was a well thought- out tour. Benoit, our guide, was very knowledgeable! It was a very memorable day out!
Review provided by Viator
Azorbc347
Aug 17, 2024
A breathtaking site impossible to miss! - The quality of restoration of the real cave (including the cold and humid atmosphere, very immersive) is absolutely amazing. An amazing work of precision in front of which one can only be admiring.
Not to mention, of course, the rock paintings themselves, whose veracity and representation of the movement astounds, when we refer to the time when these representations were made!
The Guide, full of humor, played a major role in discovering and understanding the symbolism of paintings.
And the museum building, as sober as it is powerful, sublimely integrated into the landscape by its talented designer, the architect SNOETTA, is up to the task.
Hats off!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda_b
Jul 23, 2024
Incredible tour of pre-historic caves - Our tour guide, Benoit was very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We learned so much about the ancient people of the region.
Seeing the caves in person was so inspiring and memorable. We highly recommend this excursion!
Review provided by Viator
Megansi6485ej
Jul 19, 2024
Solo Trip to the Dordogne - I took 3 different tours with both Anne and Martin as my guides. They were both incredible- so lovely, kind, and informative! I learned so much and had a wonderful time. Do not hesitate to book! Also good to note that I did not have a car so going on tours was very helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardjtaylor
Jul 6, 2024
Go to the caves! - Anne, our tour guide was excellent, knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, accommodating and entertaining. The tour itself was amazing and a highlight of our trip. It is a tour not to be missed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allenw226
Jun 23, 2024
Wonderful Cave Tour - Toured the caves with Gabby Wise ([email protected]). Gabby arranged everything, including airport pickup and drop off. The caves were incredible, and Gabby obtained English-speaking tours, and went along with us. The lunches (restaurants picked by Gabby) were terrific, and the downtown hotel in Sarlat was impeccable! Gabby originally was from Australia, and she has been guiding in the area for 15 years. Her English was great - and she is fluent in French and German.
We would rate this private tour 5 stars plus!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phizz_17
Sep 24, 2023
Enjoyable and informative introduction to the abundant pre-history in the area near Sarlat-La-Canéda. - It was a most enjoyable day with a friendly and informative guide that took in the museum, Rouffignac Cave and Lascaux IV.
The guide on the tour and the guide in the cave were knowledgable about their subject and provided lots of background about the people and their way of living as well as their art.
I learnt a lot especially the surprising origin of the description Cro Magnon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
79gillesg
Jul 9, 2024
Bof... - Rather disappointed, fairly short visit of replica of the real cave of Lascaux.
It's like visiting a building with copies of the Sistine Chapel ceiling...
I absolutely didn't hang on, but that's just my opinion
To visit if you are around and have 2 hours to spare...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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