The Grotte de Font-de-Gaume is one of the last caves in France decorated with paintings that are open to the public. Around 230 images adorn its walls; the painted and engraved artworks were created approximately 14,000 years before the beginning of our era.
Culture and History
The Grotte des Combarelles is also one of the area's cultural sites. For public visits, the Combarelles I section is accessible, while the remaining sections are not open to the public. The 242-metre-long gallery contains engravings of animals, schematic human figures and geometric signs. The Grotte des Combarelles is classified as a historic monument and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The Gisement de La Micoque is considered the oldest currently known prehistoric archaeological site in the Périgord. The Musée national de Préhistoire houses collections tracing more than 400,000 years of human presence. The museum displays more than 12,500 objects across an area of just under 1,500 square metres.
Visitor Information
For conservation reasons, the time spent inside the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume is limited to 30 minutes. Of the cave's total length of approximately 250 metres, only the main galleries are open to visitors.
For a stay in Les Eyzies-De-Tayac-Sireuil, renting a holiday apartment can be part of your personal travel planning.
Nature and Trails
Les Eyzies is characterised by green landscapes, impressive rocky cliffs and the Vézère flowing through the valley. The Boucle de la Micoque No. 15 presents the history of around 350,000 years of human settlement in the Vézère Valley. It is a signposted, 13-kilometre hike from Les Eyzies that takes around four hours and is classified as moderately difficult.
Geographical Setting
Gare des Eyzies railway station is 700 metres from the town centre and provides direct access to the Vézère Valley and the region's prehistoric heartland.
Further destination pages: Calviac-En-Périgord, Limeyrat, Fonroque, Puyrenier, Saint-Marcel-Du-Périgord, Grignols, Grand-Brassac, Annesse-Et-Beaulieu
