Visiting the Dordogne? Be sure to visit the Lascaux cave, one of the most beautiful representations of cave art known to date!
The cave paintings in the Lascaux cave are considered unique in the world. We no longer visit the original cave, but various replicas, which allow us to discover this masterpiece of prehistory. As you explore the Lascaux II and Lascaux IV sites, you’ll have a totally different experience. Torchlight tours, scenographic displays and 3D projections take you on a journey back in time to our Cro-Magnon ancestors. In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to visit the Lascaux cave in the best possible conditions. History, opening times, prices, tips and tricks: here’s all the advice you need to prepare for your visit!
History of the Lascaux cave
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Charbonnier Thierry
According to legend, young Marcel Ravidat discovered the Lascaux cave on September 12, 1940, while out walking with three friends. His dog was chasing a rabbit that disappeared into a burrow, at first sight the site of an uprooted tree. Marcel throws pebbles to try to dislodge the rabbit and realizes that the cavity seems deep. He returned a few days later with equipment to clear the entrance and explore the cavity. After some time, he informed his teacher, and specialists soon arrived on the scene. The Lascaux cave was listed as a historic monument the year it was discovered. The news spread, and visitors soon flocked to the site. The de La Rochefoucauld family, owners of the site, undertook to open it to the public.
Visitor numbers soared, with no fewer than a million people reported to have visited the cave between 1948 and 1963. However, the massive influx of visitors posed a problem. Condensation and exhaled carbon dioxide began to damage the walls and paintings. In 1963, Minister André Malraux announced the closure of the cave. A replica of part of the cave, named Lascaux II, was built 300 meters from the site. This facsimile opened to the public in 1983. A second, complete reconstruction was then built on the cave road and inaugurated in 2016. It is now part of a museum, under the name Centre International de l’Art Pariétal de Montignac Lascaux (or Lascaux IV). It is these 2 monuments that we explore today when we come to visit the Lascaux cave.
Our tips for visiting the Lascaux cave
- The visit to Lascaux II lasts around 1h15, and you should allow 2h30 for the visit to Lascaux IV. So you can do both in one day, but we recommend that you visit Lascaux II first.
- For Lascaux IV, it’s essential to keep to the scheduled visit time, after which you’ll have access to the free part of the museum.
- Whether you visit Lascaux II or IV, remember to bring a sweater, even in summer: it’s 13°C inside the caves.
- Strollers are not allowed in the cave, but not on the self-guided tour. They can be deposited in a locker.
- Photography is prohibited in the caves. They are authorized in the International Center for Cave Art.
- A restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm on the Lascaux IV site.
What can you do when you visit the Lascaux cave?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Charbonnier Thierry
The Centre International de l’Art Pariétal is divided into several areas. After accessing the belvedere for a view of the region, you enter the replica of the Lascaux cave. It comprises 7 decorated rooms. You enter the Hall of the Bulls, then discover the Axial Diverticulum. Next come the Passage, the Nave, the Cabinet des Félins, the Abside and the Puits. You’ll then discover 4 scenographic spaces, a theater and a 3D cinema.
The Lascaux II facsimile reproduces only the first two rooms, where 90% of the cave paintings are concentrated. You’ll enter in groups of no more than 30, equipped with torches. Your guide will reveal all the secrets of the paintings by torchlight, in a mystical and moving atmosphere.
How much does a ticket to the Lascaux cave cost?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock – FreeProd33
There are different ticket prices for the Lascaux cave:
- Lascaux II: adults (aged 13 and over) €14 (concessions €13), children €9 (concessions €8) and free for children under 5.
- Lascaux IV: adults (aged 13 and over) €20 (concessions €19), children €12.90 (concessions €11.90) and free for children under 5.
- Combined ticket for Lascaux II and IV: adults (aged 13 and over) €26, children €17 and free for under-5s.
How do I book a ticket for the Lascaux cave online?
To book your ticket online, you have two options:
- The official Lascaux cave website: you’ll have access to various offers, one-way tickets and combined visits. Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive confirmation and an electronic ticket in your mailbox.
- Tour operators also offer excursion packages that include transportation. Prices range from €70 to €1,000, depending on the options chosen.
Are there guided tours of the Lascaux cave?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – thipjang
Lascaux II is a guided tour. It lasts around 1h15, starting on foot at the bottom of the hill. You’ll pass the original cave and then join the reconstruction. The tour is conducted in small groups by torchlight, which creates a very special atmosphere. It’s like stepping 18,000 years back in time!
At Lascaux IV, the first part of the visit is guided. A mediator accompanies you from the site reception to the exit of the cave. You’ll also have a « visit companion », a digital tablet giving you information along the way. In the « self-guided tour » area, other mediators are on hand to help you visit the Lascaux cave without missing a thing.
Are there combined tours with other monuments?
It’s possible to combine a visit to Lascaux IV with one to Parc du Thot, Laugerie Basse or Grotte du Grand Roc. You need to book your visit to Lascaux IV, then you can access the other sites whenever you like. So you can discover the different sites in a single day, or spread your visits over several days. Twin tickets are also available for Lascaux II + Lascaux IV, with the option of adding entry to the Parc du Thot.
- Parc du Thot is located 9 km from Lascaux. It features a museum and animal park. You’ll also have access to an augmented reality animation and a 3D projection on climate change. Participatory workshops are organized during the vacations.
- The Laugerie Basse prehistoric shelter was occupied between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago. You « ll take part in an archaeological dig in augmented reality thanks to a tablet provided for the visit.
- The Grand Roc cave, discovered in 1924, is impressive for its density of crystallizations. You’ll discover a veritable mineral forest of stalactites and stalagmites.
Opening hours
Lascaux IV:
- January 27 to April 3: 10 am – 6 pm
- April 4 to July 3: 9am – 7pm
- July 4 to July 19: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- July 20 to August 2: 8am – 9pm
- August 3 to August 21: 8am – 9.30pm
- August 22 to August 30: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- August 31 to September 30: 9am – 7pm
- October 1 to November 3: 9:30 am – 7 pm
- November 4 to January 3, 2021: 10am – 6pm
Please note that the last admission to the site is 2 hours before closing time.
Lascaux II:
- April 4 to July 3: 9.30am – 12.30pm / 2pm – 6pm
- July 04 to July 18: 9am – 7pm
- July 19 to August 22: 9am – 8pm
- August 23 to August 29: 9am – 7pm
- August 30 to September 26: 9.30am – 12.30pm / 2pm – 6pm
- September 27 to November 1: 10am – 12:30pm / 2pm – 5:30pm
How do I get to the Lascaux cave?
- Car: take the A89 freeway. Take exit n°17 Montignac-Lascaux, then continue on the D6089. You’ll reach the site in 20 minutes. The various signs indicate the Lascaux IV site. If you wish to visit the Lascaux II cave, drive past the Lascaux IV parking lots and continue towards the Montignac forest for 1km.
- Plane: the three nearest airports are Bergerac, Périgueux and Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne. You can then rent a car to visit the Lascaux cave. If you choose to reach the region by plane, use a flight comparator like Skyscanner to find the best deal. The platform will show you the best solution, according to your criteria.
- Train: from Condat-le-Lardin, Périgueux and Brive-la-Gaillarde stations, you’ll need to hire a car or take a cab.
Where can I park near the Lascaux cave?
To visit the Lascaux II cave, parking is available at the entrance to the site. For Lascaux IV, parking lot P1 is a one-minute walk from the entrance to the Centre International de l’Art Pariétal. Parking lot P2 is located between Montignac town center and Lascaux IV. You’ll need to walk 10 minutes to reach the site.
Where to stay near the Lascaux cave?
There is a wide range of accommodation available to help you visit the Lascaux cave in the best possible conditions. If you want to be as close as possible to the site, there are hotels, bed & breakfasts and Airbnb rentals in the village of Montignac. But the Dordogne also has many charming little villages where you can set up camp, such as Les Eyzies or Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. There are plenty of campsites in the region, a good option if you come to visit the Lascaux cave in summer.
The choice is yours!
So what are you waiting for to visit the Lascaux cave?