Lascaux

Lascaux is a prehistoric cave system in Montignac-Lascaux, France, known for its Upper Paleolithic rock paintings. The walls hold over 600 painted figures of large animals such as horses, bulls, and deer, rendered in mineral pigments across shades of earth tones.

Four teenagers and their dog found the cave in September 1940 after following a passage that opened beneath a fallen tree. The site opened to the public in 1948 but had to close in 1963 because visitor traffic altered the microclimate and damaged the paintings.

Interest in prehistoric cave art runs deep in France, and this site sits at the heart of what visitors come to learn about early human creativity. The replica at the International Centre for Cave Art shows how much the region values preserving the legacy while protecting the actual find.

The visit takes place in a replica shown at the Lascaux IV International Centre for Cave Art, located about a kilometer from the original find. The centre offers guided tours, and arriving early in the day helps avoid waiting times.

The entire system holds nearly 6000 individual figures spread across multiple chambers, including the Hall of Bulls with four black bulls each longer than five meters. Some walls contain layered images from different periods, suggesting the space was used over centuries.

Location: Montignac-Lascaux

Part of: Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley

Address: Grotte de Lascaux, 24290 Montignac-Lascaux, France

Website: https://archeologie.culture.gouv.fr/lascaux/fr

GPS coordinates: 45.05377,1.17096

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:53