defaultSet in the heart of the Vézère Valley, just 21 km from Sarlat, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil or Les Eyzies for short is hailed as the “World Capital of Prehistory.”
This small village in the Dordogne Valley boasts an extraordinary concentration of prehistoric sites and original caves surrounded by dramatic cliffs and a beautiful natural environment.
Capture Decran 2024 10 16 A 14.51.56Les Eyzies is a living monument to prehistoric times.
The Vézère Valley, with its abundance of prehistoric sites, has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, solidifying its status as a global centre for the study of early human prehistory.
At the entrance of the village, visitors are welcomed by the Pôle International de la Préhistoire, a resource center dedicated to the region’s prehistoric heritage. Here, you can dive into a vast collection of digitized bibliographies, documentaries, and exhibits that shine a light on the lives of our early ancestors.
Further on, a visit to the National Museum of Prehistory is a must. Housed in the former Château des Eyzies, this museum was founded in 1918 and is an essential stop for anyone curious about the evolution of humanity.
The museum contains over 18,000 artifacts, which span 400,000 years of human history, from the earliest stone tools to the sophisticated art of the Upper Paleolithic. Through these objects, visitors can explore how our ancestors shaped their tools, hunted for food, and expressed themselves through art. Outside the museum stands an iconic statue of primitive man, sculpted in 1931 by Paul Dardé, symbolizing Les Eyzies’ deep connection to our shared prehistoric past.
But the prehistoric journey doesn’t stop at the museum. A short distance from the village centre brings you to two extraordinary rock shelters that were once home to early humans. Abri Pataud is a key archaeological site that has revealed 14 layers of prehistoric dwellings spanning 15,000 years. Excavations here uncovered the skeleton of a young woman who lived more than 20,000 years ago, giving us a rare glimpse into the lives of humans in the Upper Paleolithic period.
Just outside the village lies the Abri Cro-Magnon, where the remains of the first Cro-Magnon man—our direct ancestor—were discovered in 1868. This groundbreaking find marked the first evidence of Homo sapiens in Europe, forever changing our understanding of human evolution.
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One of the crown jewels of Les Eyzies is the Font-de-Gaume Cave, one of the last original caves in France to still allow public access to its breathtaking prehistoric paintings.
Discovered in 1901 by local schoolteacher Denis Peyrony, the cave is famous for its magnificent polychrome paintings—some of the earliest known multi-colored prehistoric artworks in the world. Created during the Magdalenian period, around 14,000 BC, the images in Font-de-Gaume depict a rich variety of animals, including mammoths, reindeer, horses and bison, which is the most commonly represented creature, with 84 separate depictions throughout the cave.
What sets Font-de-Gaume apart is the use of multiple colours to bring these animals to life. The stunning combination of red, black, and brown pigments creates depth and movement. In total, around 230 painted and engraved images cover the cave, making it one of the most significant Palaeolithic art sites in the world. A highlight for visitors is spotting the tectiform signs, unique roof-shaped markings that are characteristic of a few decorated caves in the region.
Due to concerns about preserving these ancient artworks, access to Font-de-Gaume is highly restricted. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed in each day, and visits last around 30 minutes to ensure the cave’s delicate climate remains stable. Despite these limitations, visiting Font-de-Gaume is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the skill and creativity of prehistoric humans firsthand.
Just a short distance from Font-de-Gaume lies another prehistoric treasure: the Cave of Combarelles. Discovered in 1901 by the same team that explored Font-de-Gaume, this cave is famous for its intricate parietal engravings, which date back around 13,000 years to the Magdalenian period. Unlike the vibrant paintings of Font-de-Gaume, the art of Combarelles is dominated by engravings, which cover the walls of the narrow cave passage.
The cave features a stunning array of over 800 engravings, stretching along a 300-metre corridor. Whilst animals like horses, bison, and mammoths are the most common subjects, Combarelles also offers a rare glimpse into prehistoric depictions of human figures—48 of them, to be precise. This makes Combarelles particularly important, as human figures are much rarer in prehistoric cave art compared to animal representations.
Walking through the cave, visitors are struck by the complexity of the engravings, many of which are intertwined, creating a dense and layered visual experience. The animals are finely etched, with an attention to anatomical detail that reveals the skill and observation of the prehistoric artists. Horses are particularly prominent, making up about a third of the engravings. Some of the figures still bear traces of bluish pigment, a reminder that many of the engravings were once painted, though the pigments have largely faded over the millennia.
Like Font-de-Gaume, access to the cave is tightly controlled to protect the delicate engravings, but for those lucky enough to secure a spot on a tour, the Cave of Combarelles offers an unparalleled look into the artistic achievements of our distant ancestors.
To book tickets for the caves of Combarelles and Font-de-Gaume, please click here.
