The most well-known and impressive prehistoric caves in France. The paintings here are thought to be over 17,000 years old and mainly represent large mammals, signs and humans.
There are about 2,000 figure drawings, nearly half of which are of animals. The caves were only discovered in 1940 and after were open to the public for 15 years. It was discovered though that the carbon dioxide produced by the thousands of visitors was damaging these precious paintings and so they are no longer open to the public. Excellent faithful reproductions of the Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery can be seen at Lascaux II in Montignac, just 200 metres from the actual cave.
