Grotte des Perrats

Grotte des Perrats is a cave in Agris, Charente, extending approximately 250 meters into limestone rock with multiple internal chambers. The interior displays exposed geological layers that archaeologists have studied to understand patterns of human occupation over thousands of years.

The cave was discovered in 1981 and quickly yielded significant archaeological finds from different time periods in its interior deposits. These layers document continuous human use of the site across several thousand years.

The site preserves evidence of human activity spanning multiple millennia, with remains showing how successive groups adapted to living in this space. What makes it notable is the concentration of discoveries from a single location that illustrate changing lifestyles over deep time.

The cave entrance provides viewing access to the exposed geological layers and allows visitors to follow ongoing research work in the chambers. Wearing suitable footwear and preparing for uneven surfaces and potentially narrow passages is advisable.

Excavations uncovered a bronze helmet dating to the 4th century BCE, now known as the Agris Helmet, a find of exceptional rarity. This metalwork survived intact, making it one of the most important portable artifacts from its era.