LASCAUX II
When Lascaux shut its doors to visitors in 1963, a huge project began to reconstruct an identical version to give visitors the chance to discover this glorious World Heritage Site.
The Most-Visited Cave Paintings in the World!
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vézère valley in the Dordogne teems with prehistoric sites, boasting no fewer than 147 deposits and 25 caves decorated with cave paintings, including the famous Lascaux Cave at Montignac.
In 1983, Lascaux II opened for visitors as the first reproduction cave in the world, presenting the two most famous galleries: the Hall of the Bulls and the Axial Diverticulum, reproduced identically with impressive precision. Located a few hundred metres from the original cave, Lascaux II now welcomes you for a proper visit, closer to the original cave.
From now on, Lascaux II provides you with an unforgettable tour of an hour, where you’ll be entering the cave, like the discoverers themselves, with a unique torch into the dark.
Delve into the Heart of the Cave!
- 1 The original Cave
- 2 Ticket Office / Shop
- 3 Entrance to Lascaux II
- 4 Discovery Trail
- 5 Picnic Area
- 6 Picnic Area
Discovery of 1940
In September 1940, a young man named Marcel Ravidat discovered a cavity in a Lascaux hillside and four days later, accompanied by his friends, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agniel and Simon Coencas, he slipped down into a cave where the four teenagers discovered numerous cave paintings.
Maurice Thaon, under the direction of Abbé Breuil – a teacher at the Collège de France and a specialist in cave art - made the first drawings and sketches of the cave walls. Lascaux Cave was opened to the public as early as 1948. From the very beginning it met with unprecedented success from tourists, although this was not without negative consequences as their carbon dioxide rapidly began to affect the fragile cave art. In order to preserve these works of art, André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, set up a scientific commission to study Lascaux which led to its closure on the 18th April 1963.
Rediscover Lascaux II
We propose you to date back to the Lascaux origins during a unique and intimate tour.
At the heart of the woods of Lascaux, you’ll be back to the origins of the discovery. Walking until the original cave, your guide will tell you everything of its story.
Then, being part of an archeological experience, your progression will get you to the copy and the time will be abolished. Like 21000 years ago, you’ll discover the cave with the only light of the candles and the frescos will come to life under your eyes.
Immerse yourself. Come and try to understand the motivations of the prehistoric men and women with us. Get back to the origins.
My TicketsEnjoy an unforgettable tour of the cave !
Make the most of the guided tour and appreciate the strength and mystery behind the representations.
Just 200 meters from the original cave, within the woods of Lascaux, we’ll replace together this masterpiece into Prehistory et the evolution of Mankind. We’ll take up with Cave Art admiring deeply the most spectacular parts : the Hall of Bulls and the Axial Recess.
Come with us into the dark, with a torch’s flame as only light. Come and feel what the discoverers lived.
My TicketsWe took advantage of the winter break to make improvements, repairs and receive visitors in ever-better conditions! Of course, we made sure to preserve the hillside, the surrounding woods and the original cave.
My TicketsObviously, visitors come for the unmissable core elements which make the new “Lascaux II: classic tour, so successful:
- A visit lasting 1h close to the original cave.
- The full story of the discovery told on the dicoverers’path.
- The real torchlight to enter the cave
- An in-depth 30-minute visit of the Hall of Bulls and the Axial Gallery allow for a detailed description and time to talk about cave art in depth.
Everyone has the time to fully appreciate the sheer force of Lascaux by placing this masterpiece within the context of prehistory, the evolution of mankind and the history of tool-making. Make sure you talk to the guides too; they are always keen to share their knowledge after the tour.
Participants are limited to about 30.
My Tickets
