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Sarlat-la-Canéda
A Day Trip From Sarlat to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV & Rouffignac Cave
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shared tours
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Sightseeing
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09 hours
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Small Groups ( 1~8 )
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Active
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English
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
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Highlights
- A Full Day Exploration of This Historical Gem
- This deep-dive is perfect for history buffs
- Visit the state-of-the-art Lascaux IV complex
- The Rouffignac Cave visit will bring you up close with this incredible history
- English speaking Guides, local Experts of the Dordogne
Program & Itinerary
Meet your English Speaking Driver/Guide who is a local Expert on Paleolithic Art
Upon arrival at the meeting point, you will be welcomed by your English speaking guide who will be waiting with a sign bearing the name of the tour and with the Ophorus logo on it. Also, all our guides have a nominative badge so that it will be easy for you to recognize them.
Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to visit the National Prehistory Museum.
All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system which means that everyone will hear the guide's commentary during driving time, even if you are seated in the back of the van! Also, we have bottled water at your disposal and you can use our free wifi as you travel from one destination to another.
Depart for the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Vézère Valley
Some 15,000 years B.C. unknown artists created breathtaking paintings, drawings and etchings inside caves of which the most extraordinary examples are found in the Dordogne area. During this day you will be introduced to this fascinating art and to the people who created it.
Guided visit of the National Prehistory Museum of Les Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil
Established in July 2004, the museum houses some 18,000 pieces and a collection of six million artifacts. The museum’s collections were established as early as 1913, when indefatigable researcher Denis Peyrony convinced the French state to acquire the Château des Eyzies, built at the end of the 16th century, and to transform it into an excavation warehouse that could double up as a museum.
Follow your guide and discover the main chapters of the Hominids’ development through an anthropological frieze and a brief reminder of Africa’s history, starting with the early Australopithecines. Many themes are explored, including the legendary “Lucy”, the small 3.5-million-year-old woman discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. You will then visit the permanent exhibit galleries that will plunge you into the mists of time, revealing seven sequences that cover the entire Paleolithic era through an “ideal historiography”.
Free time for lunch in a local restaurant (at own expense)
Enjoy some free time for lunch in Montignac or a village of the Dordogne region. Ask your guide for recommendations.
Visit Rouffignac Cave
Continue to Rouffignac Cave. This cave possesses original and authentic etchings and drawings. The Rouffignac cave was already mentioned in 1575 by François de Belleforest. In his ” Cosmographie universelle” he cites “paintings and animal traces”. In the 19th century, the cave was known as a tourist attraction. Famous archaeologists like Henry Breuil, André Glory and Martel had visited the cave in the early 20th century, but it was only in 1956 when Louis-René Nougier and Romain Robert, two prehistorians from the Pyrenees, rediscovered and confirmed the cave art.
Visit the International Center of Parietal Art - Lascaux IV
Finally, end the tour with the visit of brand new Lascaux IV cave – open since December 2016. For the first time, all of Lascaux is revealed. A complete new replica retraces the discovery of the famous decorated cave. But that’s not the end of the adventure: the entire site inquires into the position that Lascaux occupies in cave art and its relation to contemporary creation. The opening of the International Center for Cave Art marks the beginning of a new adventure combining the emotion of ancestral art and an important technological achievement.
After the visit, return to Sarlat.
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08:50 am
Meet your Guide in front of the Bus Stop at Place Pasteur in Sarlat la Caneda
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09:00 am
Depart for Prehistoric caves & museum tour from Sarlat
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09:30 am
Visit the Prehistory museum in Les Eyzies de Tayac
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11:00 am
Visit Rouffignac Cave
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01:00 pm
Enjoy some free time for lunch in Montignac or a small village along the Vezere River
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03:30 pm
Visit of Lascaux IV Cave
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06:00 pm
Drop off at Place Pasteur in Sarlat
Gallery



Know before you book
English tours of the Caves are very limited in number. Your guide will explain the cave before and after the tour as simultaneous translation in the cave is strictly forbidden.
- Instant booking confirmation
- Day trip from Sarlat France
- Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate
- In case minimum numbers are not reached we will offer to reschedule or refund your tour
- Children under 4 years old are not allowed on the tour
- Children aged 4 - 12 years get reduced price
- Tour is operated in English
- Electric train visit in Rouffignac, comments made in French during time of travel
- Guide will introduce cave beforehand and will make commentaries at the bottom of the cave in English
- Warm jackets are highly recommended – 14°C (57F) inside the caves
- Small group tour, maximum 8 persons
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Prices are per person
- Currency is in Euros
Meeting point
Departure
Return
Reviews
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N/A
14, Oct 2022
We had a wonderful day full of excitement, information and wonder with the tour with Benoit! He was a great tour guide and was very patient and knowledgeable.... -
Ross B.
06, Jun 2022
Mr. Benoit gave us and another couple an amazing tour with a lot of background info only a local guide would know. For example, Cro-Magnon man was so... -
Diane W.
27, May 2022
What a great day! We thoroughly enjoyed our day with Maarten and learned so much! His passion for prehistory is evident and he shares his knowledge in... -
NA
24, Apr 2022
An exceptional tour full of history and interesting sites. Our guide Maarten had excessive knowledge of the history of the region. A long and very rewarding...
Included / excluded
Included
- Guided visit of the Prehistory Museum
- Entrance fees to Prehistory Museum, Lascaux IV and Rouffignac Cave
- English-speaking driver guide, Expert of the Dordogne
- Travel in recent, comfortable & fully equipped minivan
- Bottled water in the minivan
- Free WiFi access on board
Excluded
- Entrance fees to monuments & attractions unless specified in program
- Personal insurance and expenses
- Meals, drinks & wine tasting fees
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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How strenuous is this tour?
This tour is completely fitted for any person traveling even if you have a small walking difficulties.
The National Prehistory Museum is a very modern building with all the required facilities for persons with small walking difficulties such as an elevator.
Rouffignac cave is also easily accessible as the tour takes place on board a small electric train that will take you right to the bottom of the cave, seeing the drawings as you move along. Once at the bottom, there is no walking involved except for a very short stroll to admire the ceiling with all its representations.
Lascaux IV is completely adapted to persons even with light walking difficulties. There are no stairs and everything has been designed in this recently opened museum to be adapted to persons with any type of walking disabilities. Elevators are present on site. -
Do you pick up at hotels on your Dordogne shared tours?
All our scheduled/shared tours have a precise departure location that is mentioned on your voucher in each city. If you wish to be picked up at your accommodation then you will need to book a private tour. -
What happens if we do not find the meeting point for our Shared Tour from Sarlat?
You have to be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to tour departure. If you are having difficulties finding the meeting point you must call us on our office number +33 556 152 609 so that we may help you find the exact area. Please note that tours leave on time and if you are not there at the designated area and indicated time the driver/guide will leave. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information. -
What type of vehicles are used during a shared tour from Sarlat?
Our company uses only Mercedes Tourer Viano 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 shared 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 cities such as Sarlat, 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. -
How cold is it in Rouffignac and Lascaux IV caves?
It is quite cold in both caves: 14° Celsius, 56° Farenheit all year round. It is best advised to wear warm clothing (fleece, sweatshirt, cardigan or shawl). It is also quite damp inside, with high level of humidity which increases the feeling of being cold. -
How does the National Prehistory Museum visit take place?
First of all, your guide will be the one conducting the tour of the National Prehistory Museum in English. This information is important as there are no English tours other than ours and very little information is available in English. Moreover, your guide is a certified licensed guide that is qualified to conduct tours in National Museums and who is an expert in Paleolithic history and prehistory. During the visit, stop and admire the most stunning artefacts and listen to your guide while you take a leap back in time. -
Where will we have time for lunch during this Dordogne full day trip?
You will have plenty of time for lunch in Montignac or in a village locate along the Vézere Valley. This will depend on the weather conditions on the day of your tour. Both the town of Montignac and the village offer a number of options from small snacks, local restaurants to more high end semi-gastronomic venues. -
How does the tour of Rouffignac cave take place?
First of all, your guide will introduce you, during your driving time from the National Prehistory museum, to the visit of Rouffignac cave. Since the tour takes place on a small electric train, it is better to know before hand what to expect and where to look. Moreover, the comments of the guides on the train are made essentially in French and even though you will be given an ipod with English commentaries, because of the noise and comments of the guide, all previous information is important.
Upon arrival, no need to wait in line we have already organized all pre-booking and tickets. Board the electric train and you will then start to make your way to the bottom of the cave. At the bottom of the cave, follow your guide who will show you and explain the different drawings present on the ceiling. This will be in English. Tour ends as you make your way back up to the entrance of the cave by electric train. -
Do you need to do a Tour or can Lascaux IV be self guided?
Whether you book the tour through us or independently, you have to take the tour of the cave. If you book the tour through our company, you will be introduced by one of our expert guides to the visit of the cave. More important, we pre-book the English tours for our small groups and have a direct access to the main attraction. Booking with us means you do not wait in line. -
Where can we buy tickets for Lascaux IV?
For the tickets, no problem, we have you covered. As the main tour operator of the Dordogne we have a partnership with Lascaux IV that enables us to offer our clients fast track access to the visits. Moreover, we pre-book an English speaking tour just for our small groups. Finally, your English speaking driver / guide will be with you the whole time in case you have questions that have not been answered by the museum guide. -
Is this tour available in winter?
Unfortunately, because a large number of sites close during the winter season, this tour is not available between the months of November to March included.
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