Prehistoric cave paintings, France

Even if you have to take a French language tour it will be worth it.

Even if you have to take a French language tour it will be worth it.

I enjoy travel by train so I would certainly take the train in Paris and then pick up a car in Limoges or Brive-la-Gaillarde. Both of these cities are beautiful and worth a visit by themselves. After you pick up the car it is an easy trip to the caves and you get the best of both worlds. A train is often easier travel for young people because it provides more freedom and room than a car. Of course, if you guys really enjoy driving then there really isn't a question about which is best. France is great fro car travel between cities; however, large city travel is more...demanding. Cheers.

The prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux II (and several other nearby locations) are the most famous prehistoric cave paints in the world, well described in many books and internet sites. You won't be disappointed. However, you can't see the actual original Lascaux cave paintings, these are closed to the public. Lascaux II is a replica.It's good to have the flexibility of a car to reach and explore this rural region. The train station to station time from Paris to Sarlat is 5hrs 15mins by the fastest trains, allow extra time to get to the train station and wait for the train, etc. The train only gets you as close (to Lascaux II) as Sarlat. Check with AutoEurope click here to see if they have a pick up location at Sarlat or another town close by (I don't know if they do).

Be aware that tours are limited and those conducted in English are scarce. Kent is right about renting a car. The caves are in fairly remote, but beautiful, locations.

We booked our flight to land in Toulouse, changing in Paris. Flying open jaws, we visited Paris later in our trip. Is that an option for you?

How was our experience? As travelers who are unimpressed with "new" stuff (Loire chateaux? Feh!) and thrilled by "old" (Roman antiquities!), we were awed. Worth every effort to see in any language.

Caves not actually in the Dordogne valley, most are in the Vezere. Best cave experience was at Peche Merle, to the south. Amazing paintings, beautiful cavern.

Note there are many cave-painting sites in the area, worth doing some research and seeking them out. Have a blast!

To add on to what Doug said about limited access. . .You can and should reserve places on tours of some of the caves. Font-de-Gaume in Les Eyzies is another wonderful site. www.leseyzies.com/grottes-ornees is the web address for that one. The Musee National de Prehistoire is also located in that town. Another nearby site with guided tours the Abri du Cap Blanc. No paintings, but almost life-size relief sculptures of horses. It takes just about 1/2 hour, and it's extraordinary. I'd rent a car for the flexibility it affords, either from Paris or from one of the cities suggested earlier.

Just to add more information since this is an infrequent topic here:

Why Lascaux II? Why such limited entries? The caves are imperiled by their human visitors. Our breathing raises the temperatures and adds moisture that erodes the paintings.

For that reason, Lascaux II was created to be a facsimile of the original. Ordinarily, I'd avoid a facsimile of a famous site, but I think the danger posed to the originals by tourism is a good reason to see the fake one.

Plus, the surrounding area is gorgeous.

I took the train from Paris and then bicycled around the Dordogne and Lot area for 2 weeks (very hilly!). In addition to the fascinating prehistoric sights, there are some wonderfully picturesque towns and villages in this region.

The Dordogne is a great driving area. Be sure and check Rick Steve's things to do while there. Your teenagers can enjoy the caves and also canoe or kayak on the Dordogne River. There are also some fantastic castles left over from the 100 years war. My wife and I took the train from Paris and to Tours and rented a car at the train station and drove through the Loire Valley for a couple days and then to the Dordogne, about a five hour drive. Your teenagers may enjoy being the map experts to help you if you drive. Have a great time, it is truly a magical area.

We took the TGV from Paris to Libourne, near Bordeaux (3 hrs), then rented a car (very easy and fast as the train station is very small, but there is a Hertz counter). We were staying in Dordogne for a week--we visited Faunt de Gaume as well as Lascaux II but also did quite a bit our sightseeing around Dordogne. We've traveled quite a bit in France and Dordogne is our favorite "countryside" region, so I'd highly recommend a visit not only for the caves but also for the cliff dwellings (St Christophe de Roque, which your kids should love), canoeing, villages, hiking, etc.

I got back yesterday (5/30) from Nice, France at the conclusion of RS tour of Paris ad S/O France. We visited the caves during our tour and as an old codger, was I ever impressed. I would recommend that visit to everyone.

I've spent two wonderful vacations in the Dordogne and have visited the caves several times. Not the prehistoric ones. Those are interesting but not nearly as fantastic as the others with beautiful gigantic stallagtites & stallagmites. One even has an underground river you ride down on a boat. Another you can be lowered into in complete darkness in a smal basket. It's so much fun. The cave to visit for the real authentic prehistoric paintings is Les Eyses des Tayeux. (Please forgive my spelling. I don't feel like looking it up.) They still allow visitors there. Sarlat is my favorite city there but last time we stayed in a gite near Souillac and it was great too.
Katherine