Dordogne Area Cave Art

You'll need a reservation for Pech Merle, as well.

Lascaux II is a repro - - dismissable immediately. Font de Gaume is small, but interesting - - you can't go unless you have a reservation, but you can usually get one for the next day (not sure about summer). The very best one in the area, by a long shot, is Pech Merle. It's about fourty miles southeast of Sarlat near Cabrerets. You'll need a car. Integral to the whole mess is a couple of hours at the National Prehistory Museum at Les Ezyies - - that place is amazing. I know nothing about van tours.

Ed, I think Lascaux II is a repro because visitors were deteriorating the original art just by breathing (too much humidity, mildew, etc.). This Wikipedia entry discusses the problems with allowing visitors in to see prehistoric cave art: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux I have not personally been to Lascaux II, but have heard rave reviews. Better a repro than obliterating the cave art with mildew caused by our breathing - or our air conditioning systems!

I saw Lascaux before it closed and I understand why it was. I also saw Altamira when you tipped Farmer Jose five pesetas to open the gate and five more if you wanted to borrow his flashlight. I just can't urge anybody to spend a half day's vacation money plus an entry fee to see a fake when the real thing is available. It's like going to Orlando to see the Eiffel Tower or to Las Vegas to see a Venetian canal. I have no idea why they haven't yet shut down Pech Merle and Font de Gaume, but it can't be long before it happens. You might as well see the real thing while you can.

For once, I disagree with Ed (sorry Ed!) but I found Lascaux II absolutely marvellous. I know nothing about mini bus tours, but get yourselves to Lascaux one way or another ... you won't regret it.

From Sarlat you can visit Lascaux and probably other caves in the area with a wonderful guide Allo Philippe Taxi. Google this and check out his site. He is an absolute delight. You will have a great day with him.

Thanks for all of your opinions - they have given me lots to think about!

We've gone on 2 tours with Philippe; in '06 we did the Caves and in '10, the Dordogne Valley. He's wonderful and gives an outstanding tour!

We went to Grotte de Rouffignac, the one where you take a little train down to the bottom, and it was great. The paintings are monochrome, but still spectacular. The best part was how lovingly the French tour guide described it (in English).

Peche Merle is not to be missed. We did not have reservations but arrived at opening time and got right in. The cave is amazing. Our tour was in French but that, most likely, would not be a problem for you. Have a great trip!.

We toured Font de Gaume and Pech Merle in September. We thought Font de Gaume was great. Then we saw Pech Merle, and were blown away. It is definitely worth the long drive from Sarlat (about an hour and a half). Thanks to Ed and a couple of others for their advice to do it. I made my reservations for both months in advance. I tried to change the day for the Font de Gaume tour a few weeks before we left and could not. Also, our guide said that they were reducing the number of people who will be let in next year. So I think you should make your reservation as early as possible. We had an English tour at Font de Gaume and a French tour at Pech Merle. The French tour was fine. The guide pointed out all the highlights in English. But even in complete silence, it would be a great tour.