Cave of Gargas

Gargas cave is a prehistoric site featuring two connected chambers within a limestone mountain in Aventignan. The walls display over 200 hand prints made by early people using stencil techniques, along with tools and traces of hearths from ancient settlements.

The cave was inhabited by early people who lived here roughly 25,000 to 22,000 years ago and left behind their traces. These early residents occupied the space over an extended period, as shown by the many artifacts archaeologists have discovered inside.

The hand prints on the walls were made by people who lived here thousands of years ago, using their hands as stencils. Many of these prints show missing fingers, which visitors can see today and wonder about the lives of these early inhabitants.

A visit requires a guided tour that must be booked in advance and lasts about one hour, taking visitors deep inside to see the artwork. The visitor center provides information and exhibitions to help you better understand the prehistoric period and the people who lived in these spaces.

The cave maintains an even temperature throughout the year, which preserves the artwork and finds from thousands of years ago in remarkably good condition. This natural cooling helped the ancient objects survive in their present state.