Lascaux Caves

Lascaux is a network of caves with over 600 wall paintings covering the interior walls and ceilings. They are the combined effort of many generations and the age of the paintings is estimated at around 21,000 years. Lascaux is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

They were accidentally discovered in 1940 by local teenagers. Visitors then caused them to deteriorate and they were closed to the public and sealed in 1963.

The caves had remained undiscovered and in pristine condition because the entrance had at one stage caved in and was only found because one of the boys dogs sniffed around a tiny opening in the ground, which they then expanded and crawled into. It's a fascinating story.

In the 1970s, an exact replica of part of the caves was constructed in the nearby hillside and this is what you visit.

They are simply amazing and it was a very special place to visit. A definite highlight.

You can not take photos inside, so these ones of the paintings came from Google.Læs mere