Lascaux IV

Lascaux is a network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne in southwestern France. Over 600 parietal wall paintings cover the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. The paintings represent primarily large animals, typical local contemporary fauna that correspond with the fossil record of the Upper Paleolithic in the area. They are the combined effort of many generations.

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Key facts

Listed as

classified historical monument (27/12/1940)

Location

Montignac-Lascaux

What to know

With continued debate, the age of the paintings is now usually estimated at 17,000 to 22,000 years (early Magdalenian). Because of the outstanding prehistoric art in the cave, Lascaux was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, as an element of the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley.

The original caves have been closed to the public since 1963, as their condition was quickly deteriorating, but there are now a number of replicas.

On your route

Driving through France or Belgium? Vaut le Détour places this stop on your itinerary with your real arrival time, a lunch spot open at that hour, and fuel or charging.

Nearby

• grotte de Lascaux, 0.1 km away
• sites préhistoriques et grottes ornées de la vallée de la Vézère, 0.4 km away
• abri de Cro-Magnon, 18.0 km away
• cathédrale Saint-Sacerdos de Sarlat, 18.7 km away
• grotte de Font-de-Gaume, 17.4 km away
• château de Beynac, 23.8 km away
• château de Castelnaud, 26.5 km away
• abri de la Madeleine, 14.4 km away

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see near Lascaux IV?

Nearby: grotte de Lascaux (0.1 km), sites préhistoriques et grottes ornées de la vallée de la Vézère (0.4 km), abri de Cro-Magnon (18.0 km), cathédrale Saint-Sacerdos de Sarlat (18.7 km). Each one can become a detour on your route.

How do I buy tickets for Lascaux IV?

Tickets for Lascaux IV are sold online (Tiqets ticketing, instant confirmation, tickets on your phone). The booking link is on this page.

Is Lascaux IV a protected monument?

Yes: classified historical monument (27/12/1940) (source: Wikidata).

Facts and key figures: the Wikipedia article “Lascaux” (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0), retrieved on 2026-08-05. Opening hours and prices are deliberately left out: they change too fast to be reliable anywhere but the official website.