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La Madeleine, Tursac

Uninhabited troglodyte village dating back to prehistoric times

featured in Sights & Sites

This village on the Vézère river has been inhabited since prehistoric times when cavemen dwelled in the rock shelters offered in the sides of the cliffs. 

Archaeologists have found jewellery and tools here from Roman times too. The troglodyte village you see today originates back to about the 10th century. Its fortifications were built around the 12th century, although there are limited remains of these left today. It has an intact part-troglodyte chapel dating from the 15th century and the remains of a number of houses. No longer inhabited, it was abandoned in the early 20th century.

When to come

July-August: 09:30-20:00

Workshops for children (aged 5 to 12) in July-August
- Every Wednesday from 11:00 to 12:00 engraving workshop 
- Every Thursday from 11:00 to 12:00 prehistoric painting workshop

May, June, September: 10:00-19:00
April, October: 10:00-18:00
November-March: Open every weekend and school holidays: 10:00-18:00

How to book

Tickets are available at the welcome desk when you arrive. 

Location

Map of the surrounding area