My wife and I are going to the Vézère Valley in April and will be visiting Lascaux, Font-de-Gaume (my second time to these two sites), Combarelles, and Rouffignac. We'd like to also see Cougnac and Pech Merle, but due to a variety of factors may not be able to see both. For those who have been to both caves, do you have a strong recommendation/preference of one over the other?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Hello from Wisconsin,
Have not been to Cougnac. Peche Merle...we thought the cave alone was worth the visit. With the additional attraction of some exceptional paintings, well what a stunning place. So I highly recommend Peche Merle. Several of the paintings in Peche Merle were used by Jacob Bronowski in his ground breaking booking, The Ascent of Man. The spotted horse is jaw dropping.
Beyond visiting the cave...you are near the confluence of Lott and Cele Rivers. We found these two river valleys to be among the most lovely in France. Much less touristed that other valleys. I imagine because they are narrower and slower to drive along.
Hope you find someone that has visited both.
wayne iNWI
We did Font de Gaume & Pech Merle last September & absolutely vote for Pech Merle. It was exactly what I wanted from a prehistoric cave! Cave paintings, stalagmites & stalactites, cave pearls, cave bear scratches, even a bat! The guide explains how the cave was discovered & shows you where inside. Totally worth it...AND you can reserve online!
I really liked Pech Merle. I went to some recreated caves near Pont d'Arc in the Ardeche. It was worth seeing and had a nice museum but a real cave is better IMO (while you can still see it).
