The Vézère Valley, valley of the Prehistoric Times.

The Vézère Valley- The Prehistoric Valley

Dordogne is probably the département where prehistoric relics are so numerous. 99% of the prehistoric sites which can be found in this département are located in The Vézère Valley itself. Even if the archaeological remains are not among the oldest ones ever found, the cave paintings made by the Cro Magnons in Dordogne Vézère are numerous (Lascaux, Font de Gaume, Combarelles, Castel-Merle, abri de Cap Blanc, Bara-Bahau...) While visiting Dordogne Vézère, you will discover the magic artistic techniques mastered by our own ancestors – the prehistoric men and more specifically the Cro Magnons i.e the Homo Sapiens.

The Eyzies is the world Captital of The Prehistoric Times

The Eyzies is the world Capital of the Prehistoric times, a well-known place located in the heart of the Vézère Valley, between le Bugue and Montignac –Lascaux. The Eyzies is mostly referred to as the Capital of the Prehistoric times. The main prehistoric caves and shelters where you can discover some painting caves had be found in this area. The painting caves had been made by the Cro Magnons. Besides, the first Cro Magnons’ graves were discovered in a shelter situated in the heart of the Eyzies. The Font de Gaume Cave is one of the unique original painted cave still opens to the public.

Discover Cro Magnons’ works of art during your Holidays in Dordogne

The Cro Magnons (Home Sapiens) originated the first human artistic masterpieces. The well-known Lascaux Caves, the Font de Gaume, Combarelles, l’Abri du Cap Blanc, the Cave of Rouffignac, Castel Merle site as well- are names referring to places where paintings, engravings, prehistoric sculptures can be admired .The Vézère Valley is very proud of all these unique treasures.

Discover the Lascaux Cave during your holidays in Dordogne

The name ‘Lascaux’ comes from the name of the hill where the cave is situated. In 1940, it was discovered by 4 young boys who lived in the Périgord. Marcel Ravidat, Georges Agniel, Simon Coencas, Jacques Marsal were the four lucky ones to found this real treasure. Lascaux is situated in the Vézère Valley, in Montignac.

Thanks to the wealth of the paintings, the genius of the artists characterized by the use of the relief and the engraving technique, the site became to be known as “The Prehistoric Sistine Chapel.” The prehistoric Paintings dated back to 18000 to 17000 BC. So as to be preserved, the Cave was closed and a facsimile, called “Lascaux II” was created. Nowadays, people are able to discover the fabulous prehistoric art walking around the Vézère Valley

UNESCO Heritage

Among a list of 146 Prehistoric sites registered in the Vézère Valley, 14 were also registered by the UNESCO among the World Heritage of humanity in 1979. This gratitude is the one from the homo sapiens sapiens for the genius and creativity of their ancestors (the Cro Magnons)