Villars Cave, Prehistoric art cave in Villars, France
Villars Cave is an underground cavern with rock formations and passages that extend through a large area. Inside, you find hanging mineral formations, standing rock pillars, and natural water pools, while black paintings cover sections of the stone walls.
The cave was discovered in 1953 when hunters noticed smoke coming from a fox burrow. What lay beneath was an underground sanctuary holding art created about 20,000 years ago.
Hand prints and animal figures on the walls show how hunters and gatherers used this space thousands of years ago. These images reflect the daily life of the people who came here.
The walkable path inside is marked and leads through natural passages, with stairs helping you return to the parking area. Good footwear matters since the ground is wet and slippery, and you will spend time in cool underground conditions.
A natural calcite coating has settled over the ancient black paintings and gives them an unusual blue shade. This visual feature sets this artwork apart from similar discoveries in other locations.
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