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Ophorus Tours - Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private

Sarlat-la-Canéda

Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private

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  • private tours

  • Sightseeing

  • 09 hours

  • Small Groups ( 1~8 )

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  • Multi-languages

    English Français
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A full Day Dedicated to Prehistory & Paleolithic Art in the Dordogne, guided by an Expert of the Paleolithic times. Private visit of the Prehistory museum in Les Eyzies, Visit Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Caves of the Dordogne.

Highlights

  • This deep-dive is perfect for history buffs
  • Visit the fascinating National Prehistory Museum
  • Visit Lascaux IV cave & the International Center for Parietal Art
  • Admire original drawings & etchings at Rouffignac cave
  • Local Tour Guide, Expert of the Dordogne Region
What is Included / Excluded for this tour

Program & Itinerary

Experience an unforgettable full-day private tour from Sarlat, starting with a convenient pick-up from your hotel or accommodation. Our English-speaking driver guide will provide you with a detailed program and itinerary for this highly recommended excursion, which includes a fascinating museum visit, a captivating cave exploration, and a visit to the brand new Lascaux IV museum. Hop on board our ...

Experience an unforgettable full-day private tour from Sarlat, starting with a convenient pick-up from your hotel or accommodation. Our English-speaking driver guide will provide you with a detailed program and itinerary for this highly recommended excursion, which includes a fascinating museum visit, a captivating cave exploration, and a visit to the brand new Lascaux IV museum. Hop on board our comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle as we embark on a journey to Les Eyzies de Tayac, the World Prehistory capital.

Explore the National Prehistory Museum

Delve into the captivating world of prehistoric art that dates back 15,000 years B.C. The Dordogne region is home to extraordinary cave paintings, drawings, and etchings created by unknown artists. This tour introduces you to this mesmerizing art and the people behind it.

Begin your day in Les Eyzies de Tayac with a guided visit to the National Prehistory Museum. Established in 2004, the museum showcases a staggering collection of 18,000 pieces and six million artifacts. Its origins trace back to 1913 when the tenacious researcher Denis Peyrony persuaded the French state to acquire the Château des Eyzies, transforming it into an excavation warehouse and museum.

Discover the world's largest collection of prehistoric artifacts as your guide takes you through the main chapters of Hominids' development, including a fascinating anthropological frieze and an overview of Africa's history, beginning with the early Australopithecus. Immerse yourself in the museum's permanent exhibit galleries, which unfold seven sequences, providing an ideal historiography of the entire Paleolithic era.

Enjoy Lunch in a Local Restaurant (at own expense)

Take advantage of your free time during lunch to savor local cuisine at a recommended restaurant in Montignac or a charming village in the Dordogne region. Your guide will be happy to offer suggestions.

Visit the Brand New Lascaux IV Cave Complex

Next, we'll continue to Montignac, where you'll explore the remarkable Lascaux IV cave, opened to the public in December 2016. This extraordinary replica faithfully reproduces the original cave, offering an immersive experience in the discovery of its famous decorations.

But the adventure doesn't end there. The site also delves into Lascaux's significance in cave art and its connection to contemporary creation. The International Center for Cave Art marks the beginning of an exciting journey that combines the emotional impact of ancestral art with remarkable technological achievements.

Follow a guided tour led by a local expert, and then take your time to explore the exhibitions and the center for prehistoric cave art.

Conclude with a Visit to Rouffignac Cave

To wrap up the tour, we'll visit the awe-inspiring Rouffignac Cave, featuring state-of-the-art original cave paintings, etchings, and drawings. The cave's existence was first mentioned in 1575 and became a popular tourist attraction in the 19th century. Notable prehistorians like Henri Breuil, André Glory, and Martel explored the cave in the early 20th century. However, it wasn't until 1956 that Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two prehistorians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and authenticated the cave art.

Upon arrival, board an electric train that will take you nearly 2 kilometers deep into the cave. During the journey, the train will make stops in front of spectacular drawings and etchings. Descend further to the cave's bottom for a brief stop. 

Disembark the train and marvel at the ceiling of the cave, adorned with a multitude of drawings. Here, you'll find 66 animal representations seemingly arranged in a swirling, disorganized manner, surrounding a large suction funnel that leads to a well and provides access to the cave's second floor. Mammoths, Rhinoceroses, Bisons, Horses, and the rare Ibex are among the captivating depictions.

After this remarkable visit, we'll return to Sarlat, leaving you with lasting memories of this extraordinary journey into the depths of history. Book your private tour today for an unforgettable exploration of the region's prehistoric wonders.

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  • Meet your Guide at your Accomodation in Sarlat

  • Visit the Prehistory museum in Les Eyzies de Tayac

  • Visit Rouffignac Cave

  • Enjoy some free time for lunch in Montignac or a small village along the Vezere River

  • Visit of Lascaux IV Cave

  • Drop off at your accommodation in Sarlat

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Ophorus Tours  - video Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private
Ophorus Tours - Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private
Ophorus Tours - Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private
Ophorus Tours - Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private
Ophorus Tours - Unveiling Prehistoric Art: Visit Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave Private

Know before you book

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

English tours of the Caves of Lascaux IV are very limited in number, most of the visits are in French. 
Your guide will explain the cave before and after the tour as simultaneous translation in the cave is strictly forbidden.

  • Dordogne Tour available from April to October
  • 9 hour Prehistory Private Day Trip from Sarlat
  • Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
  • Electric train visit in Rouffignac, (French comments) 
  • Guide will introduce cave visit beforehand
  • Commentaries at the 'Grand Ceiling' in English by your guide
  • Warm jackets are highly recommended – 14°C (57°F) inside the caves
  • Tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • Prices are per person, maximum 8 guests - Larger groups please contact us

Meeting point

Sarlat-la-Caneda

Departure

We will come and pick you up at your accommodation in Sarlat la Caneda or surrounding area (circle of 30 kms around Sarlat).

Other possible pick up locations :
  • Montignac
  • Les Eyzies de Tayac
  • Beynac, La Roque Gageac, Domme

Return

Tour returns to original departure point.

Reviews

5.0/5 (4 reviews)
  • Heath Wilson

    30, May 2024

    We spent a wonderful two days with Maarten; we are grateful for his professionalism, positive attitude, and deep expertise. On the first day, we started...
  • Ninette A.

    01, Jul 2022

    We just finished our tour with Benoit. He is the best tour guide I have ever had! Very knowledgeable and very, very kind and thoughtful. He gave us a...
  • Melody H.

    11, Jun 2022

    We were met by our driver Benoit, a common French name, who studied art history and architecture and who for the past few years during Covid worked at...
  • mhil

    07, Sep 2021

    A five-star trip with an exceptional guide This day trip might seem a bit long to those who just want to see Lascaux IV, but in hindsight it was well...
View all reviews

Included / excluded

Included

  • Guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum
  • Reservations for Lascaux and Rouffignac Caves
  • All entrance tickets included
  • English-speaking driver guide, Expert of the Dordogne
  • Travel in recent, comfortable & fully equipped minivan

Excluded

  • Personal travel insurance and expenses
  • Meals, drinks & wine tasting fees
  • Gratuities for the driver/guide

FAQ

  • Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Sarlat private tours?

    Yes, absolutely, we will come and pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Sarlat. We can also pick you up within a radius of 30kms (20 miles) around Sarlat at no extra cost.
  • What type of vehicles are used during your private tours from Sarlat?

    Our company uses only Mercedes Vito Tourer 8 seater minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows, large leg space and on board P/A system for commentaries by the guide.
  • Who conducts these Dordogne private tours from Sarlat?

    We only employ fully accredited, licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of the National Prehistory Museum, guided walking tours in villages such as Rocamadour, visit of historical monuments and so on. In the Dordogne, all our guides are experts in History & Culture. All have a large experience in Paleolithic Art and conduct tours in both Caves & Castles.
  • Is the tour of the National Prehistory Museum in English?

    Yes, absolutely. Your English speaking guide will be the one conducting the tour in the National Prehistory Museum. You can expect to see the most important aretefacts of the Museum. Your guide will explore with you the different periods of Prehistory and show you how the making of tools evolved over time. 
  • How strenuous is this tour, can everyone visit the Caves?

    Both Lascaux IV cave and Rouffignac cave are easily accessible for all. Since Lascaux IV is the replica of the original cave, there is no issue concerning the flooring of the cave. It has been adapted for all public. 

    For Rouffignac cave, it is an electric train that takes you down deep inside the cave. No walking except for a few steps taken at the end of the train ride to admire the ceiling and all the animal representations. 
  • Is it cold inside the caves?

    Inside the caves of the Dordogne in general the temperature is of 13° Celsius, 56° Fahrenheit. It is therefore strongly recommended that you bring warm clothes for the visit.
  • Is lunch included on this private tour from Sarlat?

    No, we never include lunch on our private full day tours from Sarlat. If you would like to include a lunch in a local restaurant don't hesitate to reach out and our travel advisors will take care of your restaurant reservation. Also, don't hesitate to ask your guide in the morning for recommendations.
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