Prehistory & Caves
Cave Paintings
Lascaux IV
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The Vézère Valley is rightly proud of this UNESCO World Heritage site. You need to book onto a guided tour. There is an English speaking tour every day, usually at 11am but there will be more in summer months. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The tour takes about an hour but allow about 3 hours in total as there is a lot to see, including a 3D film. There is a café/restaurant on site, table service only. During summer months there are a few pop up cafes along the route between Lascaux and the town of Montignac. It is quite cool in the caves and the centre is air conditioned so you might want a sweater. Parking is free.
Lascaux II
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We visited Lascaux II recently, having already visited Lascaux IV, and were really impressed. This is the predecessor to Lascaux IV, and is smaller in size, extremely well done and a very good alternative to Lascaux IV. The visit is slightly shorter and may be more suitable if you have young children. Lascaux II is located in the hills behind Montignac, and is right next to the original Lascaux cave. The woodland setting is very natural, and you really get to feel what the original cave must be like. Tickets are also a little bit cheaper than Lascaux IV. The following website sums up the differences between Lascaux 2 and 4 quite well if you’re not sure which one to visit .
https://www.campingdubournat.fr/en/lascaux-2-or-4-which-to-choose/
Grotte de Rouffignac
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We love this cave! It involves a train ride deep into the earth, so good for both younger and older visitors. At the end of the train ride you are treated to a good mix of cave paintings and ancient bear pits. You have to go in person on the day to book tickets. No telephone or internet booking, so be prepared to get there early, buy your tickets and come back later in the day.
Grotte de Font-de-Gaume
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.If you are interested in cave paintings and the pre-history of the area then this is something special. A world UNESCO world heritage site, and as of 2007, Font-de-Gaume was the only site in France with polychrome cave paintings that is still open to the public. This cave is just outside Les Eyzies and you can get up very close to the original paintings.
For conservation reasons, the number of visitors admitted daily is very limited. Online booking is mandatory. www.sites-les-eyzies.fr
Stalactites & Stalagmites
Gouffre de Padirac
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.This is one of the largest caverns in Europe. An enormous 75 metres deep and 33 metres wide. You can take a lift or use the metal staircase (inspired by the design of the Eiffel tower) down to the bottom. Flat bottomed boats await you and a guide (most speak English) punts you along a subterranean river. When you disembark you can walk through some truly amazing caves before being punted back to the base of the chasm. The underground tour involves about 200 steps so not suitable for those with reduced mobility or pushchairs, but children will love it.
Take a sweater as it is a cool 13 degrees centigrade in the caves.
There are several cafes and restaurants outside the site – a bit touristy – or take a picnic.
These Caves are an hour and a half’s drive from Sergeac, but they really are worth a visit.
If you want to make a day of it, they are not too far from Rocamadour.
Grotte du Grand Roc
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Gouffre de Proumeyssac
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A huge cavern with some fantastic pools, stalagmites and stalactites and a little macabre history. There is a musical light show and you can opt to be lowered into the cave in a large basket as the original vistors would have experienced it. Guided visits take about 45 minutes. There is a café and outdoor play area for children. The cave temperature is about 14 degrees so take a sweater.
Open all year except January.
Prehistory
La Roque St Christophe
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This ancient settlement on a large shelf in the rockface overlooking the Vézère river holds a lot of history, as it was continually occupied from prehistoric times through the middle ages.
Only a 15 minute drive near Peyzac le Moustier. Involves quite a large number of steps but well worth the climb. Not suitable for pushchairs. 80% of the site is sheltered so a good place to go if the weather is wet or very hot.
There are self guided tours or you can join a guided tour. In the summer months they have demonstrations, and a knight show.
They have a sound and light show/promenade in the evenings during the summer holidays. You will need to book – the sound track is only available in French.
Le Village de la Madeleine
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The troglodyte village of La Madeleine is one of the best examples of the long tradition of human occupation in this area of Périgord Noir. It is positioned in a beautiful location above a loop on the Vézère river. Most of the visit takes place outdoors and there is lots to see. You can take a self guided tour with headphones or in the summer season they have guides.
open from spring to autumn
About a 20 minute drive from Sergeac
Castel Merle
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.This pre-historic site is just a 5 minute walk from the gites.
Open Easter through to the end of September in the afternoons and all day in July and August. Closed Saturdays.
Castle Merle is a series of rock shelters that were occupied by pre-historic man. It is a great site to for children. Their tours and activities give an insight into the daily life of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Activities include spear throwing, cave painting, jewellery making and fire lighting.
Activities need to be booked in advance by phone or email.
Tours in english and dutch can also be booked in advance.
