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Getting into the Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarelles

Posted by on

Just read on an updated website that anything written prior to 2014 on getting tickets to these two places is "out of date".

First, we understand if you do not contact the ticket office probably at least 5 months in advance, you have no shot at advance tickets (we are going in late May, so we have zero chance). Now we are also told that outside of advance tickets sold, there are about 52 tickets available for Font de Gaume and maybe 36 or so for Les Combarelles. OK, that we understand. We also understand that at the ticket office (which handles both caves) there are now benches that have seats numbered 1-52. You get in line here on these seats and then once you buy your tickets you sit here to wait for your tour.

My question is...say you are number 45, what time will your tour be? Could you wait until, say 1:00 PM for your tour?????? We have read that they schedule the tours for the folks that bought online latest in the day, but I think that still leaves room for those who bought their tickets same day to wait until at least early afternoon for your tour to start, right?? Gosh, seems like an awful lot of waiting....or what am I missing?

Second question, say you wanted to see Les Combarelles as well. Do they schedule your time for that tour so that it does not overlap with the Font de Gaume tour? I am of course assuming this case, but just in general wondering how they work this out. Need someone who has gone through this recently to reply if you would please. Thanks very much!! ken

Posted by
16894 posts

Have you already tried calling or emailing? This is the description from our updates page: Some of the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume cave tours can now be reserved in advance through their website, but space is limited. Some more slots can be reserved in advance by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+33 05 53 06 86 00). Without reservations, aim to show up early (by 7:30). Sales for the entire year open on January 2.

Already predicted in the Rick's France 2016 book, it says that the number of guests per tour at Font-de-Gaume is limited to 13, and that there are 4 tours up for grabs in the morning plus 2 that are pre-reserved in the afternoon, bringing the total daily limit to 78 visitors. So I read that as saying that you line up by 7:30 and hope to get on the list for the 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, or 12:30 tour, then have to return a half-hour before that start time.

Posted by
1443 posts

I'm in the same boat for early June. I'd really like to see FdG but I just don't want to wait 2 hours to buy a ticket for an entry time which could be much later that day. I've decided to "make do" with a tour that includes Lascaux II so I can do other stuff and not be trapped at FdG all day. Or is there another option I'm missing?

Posted by
16894 posts

This commenter mentioned having cave reservations set up by an independent guide that she hired for the day. That's probably Angelika Simeon from p. 485 of Rick's France book. But I don't think a guide can get you into places that are already sold out.

Posted by
107 posts

Emailed a couple of months ago and they are booked. There is a website (not the formal website but one with a lot of helpful info about it) which has their email and phone number and has a special notation just added that said for 2016 they are booked now through October for advance tickets. So I guess forgetaboutit if you do not have them and you are traveling up to October.

But OK, thanks for the help on the tour times. So if you get one in the morning the latest you have to wait is for the 12:30 tour. And you get there by noon for that.

I guess then you have time for the museum in town and lunch at the Cro Magnon Hotel. Perfect. Thanks for your help!!

Posted by
10230 posts

Just so people know for next year, on-line reservations do exist. My husband contacted them in early January, when 2016 reservations opened, for a May reservation.

Posted by
107 posts

Bets, they do exist, surely, but what I said earlier was that if YOU TRY TO BOOK THEM RIGHT NOW THEY ARE BOOKED THROUGH OCTOBER 2016. But this PAST January for May, sure, no problem.

At least that is what they are telling me. Does not mean you cannot try.

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