You will see engravings and many drawings (black outline only). These caves are original, but you do not need to book ahead to visit (unlike most other original caves in the area). It would be good if the site could look at improving the experience for non-French speakers and modernising the booking process. Worth a visit although children may be underwhelmed (our 12 year old certainly was). If you can get there close to 9am you shouldn’t have long to wait later the wait will increase very quickly in season. You also do need to arrive early as there is no booking system and precious little to do in the area. The English written guides are useful but clearly not as extensive as the spoken tour they are also just paragraphs of text so not very engaging and it’s a little tricky to work out what applies when - I would recommend reading most of it on the way in so you don’t end up staring at text instead of the pictures! The guide speaks entirely in French (except for brief parts in English - mainly instructing you not to take photos or touch anything). However still worth a visit as the paintings are interesting and well worth seeing. Don’t expect to see dramatic lighting or exciting rock formations. Much of the trip is dark and on the rather clunky electric train, barely lit with the guide picking features out with a torch. Very few stalactites here as the water diverted a long time ago, and aside from a few interesting rock formations it is almost all about the cave art.
The Dordogne Valley is ideal for nature lovers with an endless choice of hiking, biking and riding tracks in unspoilt countryside.Very intriguing cave paintings and nice to see a different type of cave from the usual wet limestone caves. The Dordogne Valley proudly owns a stunning cultural heritage and some of the prettiest sites in France, including the mighty fortress of Castelnau-Bretenoux and the Renaissance castle ofĪlso not to be missed are the impressive Tours de Merle, some medieval towers that look like a set from Game of Thrones. Another must-see is The Gouffre de Padirac, the biggest chasm inĮurope and a fascinating boat journey into a magical underground world, 103 metres under the surface. The caves of Lascaux contain some of the most terrific examples of Paleolithic art in Europe. With its limestone plateaus, the region is also home to an infinite number of cliff dwellings and adorned with extraordinary stalactites, stalagmites and prehistoricĭrawings. Holds the renowned statue of the Black Virgin, worshiped here for over a millenium. The basilica Saint-Sauveur and the crypt Saint-Amadour are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and the chapel of Miracles
Great pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Spectacularly clinging to the cliff, Rocamadour is situated on the Way of Saint James and has been a With its cobbled streets, manors, artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, it seems to glow in the evening sun.Īt the heart of the Dordogne Valley stands the sacred city of Rocamadour. The Dordogne Valley boasts no less than 5 of the « Most Beautiful Villages in France », including Collonges-la-Rouge, a fairy-tale like villageīuilt entirely in red sandstone. From cave paintings to Roman occupation, or from the Hundred Years War to the Renaissance, all have shaped the landscape you see The Dordogne Valley retains many traces of its historic past. Of Biosphere Reserves, a prestigious recognition for an environment of exceptional quality. It is the only river in France to be part of the UNESCO World Network
Of the Dordogne river provide lots of fun activities including swimming and canoeing. With its fascinating cultural heritage and beautifully preserved natural environment, the Dordogne Valley has it all.
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