The Périgord region is abundant in Palaeolithic sites, rock shelters and underground grottos, due mainly to the limestone formations characteristic of the area. Traces of man’s habitation here go back over 400,000 years, and some of these footprints are still here today.

Map of Caves and Prehistoric Sites

Grotte de Villars Villars

Just 10 minutes by car from Brantôme, the Grotte de Villars is a beautiful cavern studded with giant stalagmites and stalactites.  You’ll also see traces of prehistoric cave drawings, including the ‘little blue horse’ and the ‘sorcerer and bison’ paintings on the walls Read More

Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac – The Crystal Cathedral. Le Bugue/Vézère

This is the largest underground cavern in the Périgord, that is reminiscent of a huge underground city that can be accessed on foot or within a suspended cradle.  It lies underneath a beautiful leafy forest ideal for a picnic or walks Read More

Grottes du Roc de Cazelle Les Eyzies

First settled around 20,000 years ago, the Cazelle Cliff is studded with shelters and caves that saw their last dwellers as recently as 1966!  There are recreations of prehistoric dwellers in their early habitats as well as furnished replicas of turn of the century living areas carved into the rock Read More

Village de la Madeleine Tursac

There are several periods of history to see here, from early prehistoric settlements to a 8th century fort, a 13th century chateau and a 15th century gothic church Read more

Grotte Lascaux II Montignac

The original Lascaux caves have been closed to the public since 1963, but you can see a replica of its magnificent painted murals and galleries at Lascaux II Read more

Gouffre de Padirac Padirac

This amazing underground cavern has a blue-green river that you can navigate by boat, while you marvel at the limestone formations along the way Read more

Grotte du Grand Roc Les Eyzies de Tayac-Sireuil.Set within a cliff face overlooking the Vézère river, the Grotte du Grand Roc has some of the most unusual crystal formations ever seen Read more

La Maison Forte de Reignac Tursac

This unique site, classified as a historic monument, is a castle built into a cliff face complete with sumptuous furnishings, sets of armour, and dungeon full of instruments of torture!  It is the only castle of its kind still in existence today Read More

La Roque Saint Christophe Peyzac-Le Moustier

Climb up this sheer rock face to ancient troglodyte dwellings in this Unesco World Heritage site, where you will see recreations of life from the Palaeolithic Age through to the Middle Ages and Renaissance Read More