World Heritage
Among the many sites, caves, shelters and other cavities in the beautiful Vézère Valley, 15 sites joined the World Heritage list, and were selected for their complementarity, their diversity and their rich heritage. Each site expresses and reflects a part of the rich Cro-Magnon culture from 30,000 years ago. The different forms of artistic expression are present in these places. They do not represent an exhaustive ensemble of cultural trends already present at the time in Europe, but are the most abundant in quantity, the most spectacular in their quality and in an exceptional state of preservation. Beyond the cultural testimony that the valley offers, it teaches us above all about the very existence of our ancestors, their way of life, their social and territorial organization, their hunting and fishing techniques, their funerary rites, and their symbolic expression.
Of these 15 sites, the Lascaux Cave is of particular note, whose discovery was a landmark in the history of prehistoric art. The very large number of objects, skeletons and works of art found there provide an invaluable testimony to the quality and complexity of these prehistoric civilizations in Europe. They allowed scientists to establish a chronological framework that has become a benchmark in the world.
The prehistoric site of the Vézère Valley is a monumental ensemble of 147 prehistoric sites and 25 decorated caves. Among them, UNESCO declared 15 World Heritage Sites of humanity in 1979. The sites are particularly interesting from an ethnological, anthropological and aesthetic point of view.
Criteria for selection
Criterion (i): certain of the figurative ensembles of the caves of the Vézère are universally recognized as masterpieces of prehistoric art: the Venus de Laussel (Marquay), the frieze of horses in high relief of Cap-Blanc, and especially the famous wall paintings of the Lascaux cave, the discovery of which in 1940 was of great importance for the history of prehistoric art. The hunting scenes show some 100 animal figures, which are remarkable for their detail, rich colors and lifelike quality.
Criterion (iii): the objects and works of art found in the Vézère Valley bear extremely rare witness to long-extinct civilizations, which are very difficult to understand. This material, infinitely valuable for the knowledge of the earlier periods of human history, dates back to a period long before Antiquity up to the Paleolithic era, and is of universal interest as being exceptional from a historic, as well as ethnological, anthropological and aesthetic points of view.
Source : UNESCO / ICOMOS
Prehistory
The archaeological context
The Périgord region, especially the Vézère Valley, contains an impressive density of extremely important prehistoric sites. The limestone geological formations, favorable for the natural creation of cavities, were where men found refuge.
The first sites of historical and archaeological importance were found at the base and on the walls of the valley. The main sites such as La Madeleine, Le Moustier, La Micoque gave their names to the Magdalenian, Mousterian, Micoquian, and beyond, Périgordien periods of culture. The study of these sites, along with other classified sites, helped to establish the chronology and history of the Paleolithic era. Today they remain a world reference in terms of prehistoric dating.
Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon
About 400,000 years ago, Homo Erectus, from Africa, already inhabited the Périgord region. We now know, thanks to the work of archaeological research conducted on different sites, that this society was already using advanced technology: flint scultping, mastery of fire, etc.
Thereafter, it was the Neanderthal man, from northern Europe, who occupied the site before his extinction there 30,000 years ago. This society left many traces such as tools, remains of hunted game and the presence of graves, which show that this was the first human ancestor who buried their dead in the context of spiritual and symbolic ceremonies.
The visible legacy today is, however, essentially composed of remains left by Homo sapiens-sapiens (or Cro-Magnon), who colonized the region there 35,000 years ago, giving us an exceptional heritage, remarkable for its artistic and symbolic expression. The ornaments, sculptures and bone and stone engravings are abundant. This human ancestor also adorned caves and shelters with lavish decor. The study of his lifestyle teaches us that these hunter-gatherers mastered advanced techniques for stone working, bone, wood and ivory.
Why so many prehistoric remains in the Vézère Valley ?
During the Ice Age, the populations of northern Europe found refuge in the Aquitaine basin. The Vézère Valley was a haven for the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. The establishment of communities in the valley was made possible thanks to optimal living conditions. Climate, many shelters and refuges, and abundant natural resources (fish, game, raw materials for tools), made the site suited to the lifestyle of the time.
Who is Cro-Magnon ?
The oldest traces of a "modern" man date back about 200,000 years. But these men lived in Africa, in the cradle of humanity. Neanderthal man occupied the premises at the time of the Mousterian period (Middle Paleolithic era), more than 40,000 years ago.
Cro-Magnon was a contemporary of the Neanderthals, before his extinction about 30,000 years. He developed the first culture of the Upper Palaeolithic period (approximately 40,000 to 10,000 years ago). The anatomy of Homo sapiens sapiens (the other scientific name of Cro-Magnon) is very close to ours. It therefore represents the oldest modern European humans, and it is here that in 1868 the discovery of a Cro-Magnon burial ground overthrew the scientific knowledge of the time. Prehistory entered the history of mankind.
Culturally modern man
The Upper Paleolithic era is the assertion of an unprecedented cultural development. In comparison with the Middle Paleolithic period, the Cro-Magnons had evolved from a social, artistic and technical point of view. They made sophisticated stone, bone, and ivory tools. They structured their social organization, developed social bonds, developed a language, hunted in groups, and perfected weaponry. They especially excelled in the rock art that adorns the caves and cavities. These engravings, paintings, drawings and sculptures are of a high artistic level and characterize the culture of our ancestors. The adornment and jewelry they found are evidence of this aesthetic concern, unique to their developed society.
Wall Art
The Cro-Magnon mastered their techniques. Imaginative, they adapted to working on surfaces using pigments or the most appropriate utensils, sometimes combining them for exceptional rendering, precision and breathtaking finesse. The most common are representations of animals, in particular horses. Rather mysterious geometric representations are also quite common, though human figures remain exceptional.
The artists selected their tools depending on the surface materials they faced. On rough surfaces they preferred painting or drawing. In places with softer rock they opted for engraving, although it was possible to paint on these surfaces by spraying. On clay they used their fingers. Especially in Lascaux, the animals seem merely sketched, but ultimately come to life with the shape of the wall and its natural contours, suggesting a vision in 3D. One can legitimately ask how they were able to paint in almost total darkness. Indeed, this was the main argument for opponents of the recognition of cave art in the 19th century. For them it was impossible to paint in these conditions, thus calling into question the very existence of a prehistoric art. In reality, the Cro-Magnons used limestone pads whose center was widened slightly to accommodate the animal fat used as fuel. Several hundred of these lamps were found on site. Some models are particularly sophisticated.
The caves of the Vézère Valley were not places of permanent residence. They were used for artistic purposes. At best they served as a shelter. However, the archaeological objects discovered are exceptional in their quantity and variety (flint and bone tools, engraving equipment, shell ornamentation).
To achieve these paintings, the artists used relatively few pigments, mainly black with yellow, red or brown with a few variations. Plant-based pigments did not make it through the centuries, as the paintings we see today are composed of pigments made of iron, manganese or charcoal.
Themes
Painted representations on the cave walls only address three themes: animals, human figures and signs (more or less developed). The first is by far the most represented: horses being the most numerous followed by deer and aurochs (a sort of wild ox), then ibex and bison. Predators: bears or cats, are represented more discretely. Figures of man are rarely present, and if so only one per site. However, certain anatomical parts are more frequently represented: hands, female and (rarely) male genitalia. However, the natural environment and wildlife are themes that are absent in the frescoes. The signs represented on the walls are of two types: single (one line) or more elaborate (geometric shapes).
Techniques
The three artistic techniques used in the wall art iconography are drawing, engraving, and to a lesser extent, painting. The first two have an important place in the decoration of caves and shelters. The paintings, less common, are particularly admirable at Lascaux. Spray painting and sculpture appear shortly after (25,000 to 20,000 years BC).
What makes these works even more exceptional is that with so few tools, those as simple as flint, blocks of pigment, rudimentary mills, some brushes and stamps, skin pouches ... these artists produced paintings of great iconographic cohesion (slots dedicated to each animal) with an attention to detail and the sometimes spectacular relief. The expression of depth or perspective is often suggested on anatomical paintings highlighting or emphasizing certain traits.
Tourist Office
Tourist Offices in the Vézère Valley
Tourist Office of Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil
19 Avenue de la Préhistoire, 24620 Les Eyzies
Website - tel : 05 53 06 97 05.
Opening time:
January, February, October, November, December, Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
April, May, June and September, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July and August, daily : 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Parking in the center of Les Eyzies is mainly paying. Nevertheless, you will find two large, free parking lots: Parking de la Vézère and Parking du Pôle International de la Préhistoire. Warning : the site gets crowded during the peak season, so it’s best to arrive early.
Tourist Office of Montignac-Lascaux
Place Bertrand de Born, 24290 Montignac
Website - tel : 05 53 51 82 60.
Opening time:
January, February, October, November, December, Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
April, May, June and September, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July and August, daily : 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tourist Office of Le Bugue
22 Place de l'hotel de ville, 24260 Le Bugue
Website - tel : 05 53 07 20 48.
Opening time:
January, February, October, November, December, Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
April, May, June and September, Monday to Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July and August, daily : 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tourist Office of Rouffignac
24 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 24580 Rouffignac
Website - tel : 05 53 05 39 03.
Open from May through August.
Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Markets in the Vézère Valley
Weekly markets in Vézère Valley
Les Eyzies: Parking des Bus. Monday mornings from April through October.
Montignac: Place de l’église. Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Le Bugue: Place de la Mairie and Rue de Paris. Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
Rouffignac: Place de la Mairie. Sunday mornings.
Night markets
during July and August
Monday evening in Montignac
Tuesday evening in Le Bugue
Wednesday evening in Rouffignac
Thursday evening in Saint Léon sur Vézère
Local Farmers’ Markets (direct from producer to consumer)
Saint-Amand-de-Coly: Place du Séchoir. Tuesdays in July and August, in the evening.
Museums
Main museums of the Vézère Valley
Pôle International de la Préhistoire
30 Rue du moulin
, 24620 Les Eyzies de Tayac
Website - tel : 05 53 06 06 97.
Opening time:
October through April daily except on Saturday : 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday from 10:30 a.m.
May, June and September, daily except on Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On sunday from 10:30 a.m.
July and August, daily : 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Free admission.
At the International Prehistoric Welcome Center, visitors can prepare their stay in the prehistoric valley according to different interests. It is a place of learning and discovery of the world of prehistory and of the Vézère Valley. For children, there are many educational, fun and interactive media to help them understand the history of the Cro-Magnons.
Musée National de Préhistoire
1 Rue du Musée, 24620 Les Eyzies de Tayac
Website - tel : 05 53 06 45 65.
Full price / reduced price: €6 / €4.50. Free for EU citizens under 26 years old (under 18 for non-EU citizens) and free general admission the first Sunday of the month.
Opening time:
October through May: daily except on Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
June and September, daily except on Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July and August, open daily: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Accommodation available for visitors with disabilities. Guided tours possible.
The National Museum of Prehistory offers a journey of discovery retracing 400,000 years of history, the changing lifestyles of prehistoric men and their tools, life-size reconstructions of extinct animals and men, a very impressive Bison skeleton unearthed the site of the Madeleine, and a mold of the skeleton of Lucy. Recommended for the end of your stay to deepen your knowledge. Features a beautiful view from the terrace overlooking the village.
For children: fun visits and workshops.
Le Thot - Espace Cro-Magnon
7 km south of Montignac (take the D706 in the direction of Les Eyzies).
Website - tel : 05 53 50 70 44.
Price: €10/ 5 to 12 years old: €6.50. Free for children under 5 years old.
Opening time:
January through March, daily: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April, May, June, September and October: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July and August, daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
November and December, daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The center is best explored in before visits to the different sites, and in particular the Lascaux cave. The museum space and the zoo offer scenes that plunge visitors into the Upper Palaeolithic era. The museum showcases the art of Lascaux, its paintings and drawings: the Nave and the Scène du Puits (Scene at the Well) at Lascaux are reconstructed here. Visitors will learn all about the works of Lascaux, from the techniques to the tools. The zoo is meant to revive the species from the Upper Paleolithic era (bison, aurochs, Przewalski and Tarpan horses, deer) and presents reconstructions of extinct species (mammoth). In the summer and during school holidays: introduction to the techniques of wall art and lance throwing. Educational workshops. Boutique, bookstore, picnic area.
Transport
Getting to Vézère Valley
By car
North-south: Highway A20 Paris-Toulouse, exit Terrasson.
East-west: Highway A89 Bordeaux-Lyon, exit Les Eyzies.
Nearby classified sites
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion: 140 km (87 mi), time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Bordeaux - Port of the Moon: 170 km (106 mi), time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Toulouse (Canal du Midi): 200 km (124 mi), time: 3 hours
By Plane
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord
Airport
Route d’Agen,
24100 Bergerac
Website - tel : 05 53 22 25 25.
Specializes in low-cost flights, and is served by the following airlines: Ryanair, Flybe, Transavia, jet2.com and Twin Jet.
Brive - Vallée de la Dordogne Airport (Corrèze)
Highway A20, exit 53, 19600 Nespouls
Website - tel : 05 55 22 40 00
.
Connections to Paris, London, Amsterdam and Corsica.
By train and bus
Paris-Toulouse Line: Brive (Corrèze) and Souillac (Lot).
Connection from Brive by bus to Montignac - Lascaux
Gare SNCF de Brive
Avenue Jean Jaurès, 19100 Brive
Website - tel : 36 35.
Gare SNCF de Souillac
Lieu dit Gare, 46200 Souillac
Website - tel : 36 35.
Paris-Agen line : From Périgueux, bus service to Montignac - Lascaux
Gare SNCF de Périgueux
11 Rue Denis Papin, 24000 Périgueux
Website - tel : 36 35.
Gare SNCF des Eyzies
4 Rue Tayac, 24620 Les Eyzies
Website - tel : 36 35.
Sleeping / Eating
Hotels in Vézère Valley
The selection of accommodation proposed below consists of establishments that offer quality services at competitive rates, they are considered as references in their respective categories. These addresses are very close to the classified sites. The prices shown are for the off season, on the basis of 2 people.
Le Moulin de la Beune **
2 Rue du Moulin Bas, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Website -
tel : 05 53 06 94 33.
Room from €75.
Hostellerie du Passeur ***
1 Place de la Mairie, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Website - tel : 05 53 06 97 13.
Room from €68.
Hôtel Les Glycines ****
Les Eyzies de Tayac-Sireuil
Website - Tel: 05 53 06 97 07.
Room from €145.
Restaurant "Le 1862"- gourmet cuisine
Open only for dinner and on Sunday for lunch
"Menu" from €65.
Hôtel Le Lascaux ***
109 Avenue Jean Jaurès,
24290 Montignac
Website - tel : 05 53 51 82 81.
Room from €74.
Hostellerie de la Roseraie ***
11 Place d'armes, 24290 Montignac
Website - tel : 05 53 50 53 92.
Room from €90.
Restaurants in Vézère Valley
The selection of restaurants proposed below consists of restaurants that offer a good price/quality value. These addresses are very close to the classified sites. “Formule” corresponds to a lunch special with a starter and a main course, or a main course and a dessert. The “menus” usually consist of a starter, a main course and a dessert," for lunch or dinner.
Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe - boxed lunch
Le bourg, 24290 Saint Léon sur Vézère
Tel :05 53 50 69 17.
Price from €5.
Restaurant le Vieux Moulin - local cuisine
2 Rue du Moulin Bas, 24620 Les Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil
Website - tel : 05 53 06 94 33.
"Menu" from €23.
Restaurant of the Hôtel "Moulin de la Beune"
Hostellerie du Passeur - traditional cuisine
1 Place de la Mairie, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Website - tel : 05 53 06 97 13.
"Lunch formule" €19.
Restaurant of the hôtel.
