Visit the cave of Lascaux: tickets, prices, schedules

Passing to Dordogne? Don’t miss visiting the cave of Lascaux, one of the most beautiful representations of the parietal art known to date!

The rock paintings of the cave of Lascaux are considered unique in the world. We no longer visit the original cave, but different replicas, which allow us to discover this masterpiece of prehistory. By exploring Lascaux II and Lascaux IV sites, you will experience totally different experiences. Visit to the torch, scenographic devices and 3D projections take you on a journey in time with our Cro-Magnon ancestors. Discover in this article all the information to visit the cave of Lascaux in the best conditions. History, schedules, rates, tips: Here are all our tips to prepare your stay!

History of Lascaux Cave

According to legend, the young man Marcel Ravidat Discover the cave of Lascaux on September 12, 1940 during a walk with three comrades. His dog continues a rabbit that disappears in a terrier, at first sight the location of an uprooted tree. Marcel launches rocks to try to dislodge the rabbit and realizes that the cavity seems deep. It comes back a few days later with equipment to clear the entrance and explore the cavity. After a while, he warned his teacher, and specialists soon arrived at the scene. The cave of Lascaux is classified as a historic monument from the year of its discovery. The news is spreading and visitors are soon to flock. The La Rochefoucauld family, owner of the site, undertakes development work to open it to the public.

The attendance exploded and no less than a million people visited the cave between 1948 and 1963. However, the massive arrival of the public is a problem. The condensation and expiration of carbon dioxide begin to damage the walls and paintings. In 1963, Minister André Malraux announced the closure of the cave. A replica of a part of the cave, named Lascaux II, is then built 300 metres from the site. This facsimile was opened to the public in 1983. A second reconstruction, complete, is then built on the road to the cave and inaugurated in 2016. It is integrated into a museum, under the name of Centre International de l’Art Pariétal de Montignac Lascaux (or Lascaux IV). These two monuments are explored today when you visit the cave of Lascaux.

Our tips to visit the cave of Lascaux

• The visit of Lascaux II lasts about 1h15, and plan 2:30 to visit the cave of Lascaux IV. So you can do both tours in the day, but we advise you to visit the site of Lascaux II first.
• For Lascaux IV, you must respect the schedule set for the visit, then you will have access to the free part of the museum.
• Whether it’s for Lascaux II or IV sites, think about wearing a sweater even in the summer: it’s 13°C inside the caves.
• The strollers are forbidden in the cave but not in the free tour. It is possible to place them in a record.
• The photographs are forbidden in the caves. They are allowed in the International Centre for Parietal Art.
• One. restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm on the site of Lascaux IV.

What to do during your visit to Lascaux Cave?

The Centre International de l’Art Pariétal is divided into several spaces. After access to the window for a view of the area, you enter the replica of the cave of Lascaux. It consists of 7 rooms decorated. We're going into the Taureaux Hall, then we're discovering the Axial Divertic. Then come the Passage, the Nef, the Office of the Félins, the Abside and the Puits. You will then discover 4 scenery, 3D theatre and cinema.

The facsimile of Lascaux II reproduces only the first two rooms, where 90% of the rock paintings are concentrated. You'll come in. maximum group of 30 persons with torches. Your guide will reveal all the secrets of the paintings in the light of torches, in a mystical and moving atmosphere.

How much does a ticket cost to the Lascaux Cave?

There are different ticket rates for Lascaux Cave:

• Lascaux II: adult (from 13 years old) 14€ (reduced rate : 13€), child 9€ (reduced rate: 8€) and free for under 5 years.
• Lascaux IV: adult (from 13 years old) 20€ (reduced rate: 19€), child 12,90€ (reduced rate: €11.90) and free for under 5 years.
• Lascaux II and IV Combined Ticket: adult (from 13 years old) 26€, child 17€ and free for under 5 years.

How to book an online ticket for Lascaux Cave?

To book your ticket online, you have two options:

• The official website Lascaux Cave: you will have access to various offers, simple tickets and combined visits. Once the payment is made, you will receive your confirmation and an electronic ticket in your mailbox.
• In addition, tour operators offer excursion packages in which transport is also included. Prices range from 70€ to 1000€ depending on the selected options.

Are there guided tours of the Lascaux Cave?

The tour of Lascaux II is guided. It lasts about 1h15 , with a walk down the hill. You will pass in front of the original cave and then join the reconstruction. The visit is made in a small group in the light of torches, which creates a very special atmosphere. It’s a real jump of 18,000 years back that is offered to you!

For Lascaux IV, the first part of the tour is guided. A mediator accompanies you from the reception of the site to the exit of the cave. You also have a "visit companion", a digital tablet giving you information throughout the course. In space "free visit" , other mediators take your steps to allow you to visit the cave of Lascaux without any need.

Are there visits combined with other monuments?

It is possible to combine the visit Lascaux IV with those of the Parc du Thot, the Laugerie Bass or the cave of the Grand Roc . You must book your visit to Lascaux IV, then you will have access to other sites whenever you wish. You can therefore discover the different sites in one day or spread your visits over several days. There are also tickets paired Lascaux II + Lascaux IV, with the possibility of adding the entrance to the Parc du Thot.

• The Thot park is located 9 km from Lascaux. It consists of a museum space and an animal park. You will also have access to an augmented reality animation and a 3D projection on climate developments. During the holidays, participatory workshops are organized.
• Prehistoric site l »abri de la Laugerie Bass was occupied between -15,000 and -10,000 years. You will participate in an archaeological excavation in reality increased thanks to a tablet provided for the visit.
• Grand Roc Cave, discovered in 1924 impresses by its density of crystallisation. You evolve in a real mineral forest between stalactites and stalagmites.

Opening hours

Lascaux IV:

• 27 January to 3 April: 10h - 18h
• 4 April to 3 July: 9h - 19h
• 4 July to 19 July: 8h30 - 20h30
• 20 July to 2 August: 8h - 21h
• 3 August to 21 August: 8h - 21h30
• 22 August to 30 August: 8h30 - 20h30
• 31 August to 30 September: 9h - 19h
• 1 October to 3 November: 9h30 - 19h
• November 4 to January 3, 2021: 10h - 18h

Attention, la dernière admission sur site se fait 2 hours before closing .

Lascaux II:

• 4 April to 3 July: 9h30 – 12h30 / 14h – 6h
• 04 July to 18 July: 9h - 19h
• 19 July to 22 August: 9h - 20h
• 23 August to 29 August: 9h - 19h
• 30 August to 26 September: 9h30 – 12h30 / 14h – 6h
• 27 September to 1 November: 10h – 12h30 / 14h – 17h30

How to get to Lascaux Cave?

• Car: You will arrive by the A89 motorway. Take exit 17 Montignac-Lascaux then continue on the D6089. You will join the site in 20min. The various panels indicate the site of Lascaux IV. If you want to visit the cave of Lascaux II, go beyond the parking lot of Lascaux IV and continue to the forest of Montignac for 1km.
• Aeroplane: the three closest airports are those of Bergerac, Périgueux and Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne. You can then rent a car to visit the cave of Lascaux. If you choose to fly to the region, help you with a comparison of flights like Skyscanner to find the best offer. The platform will tell you the best solution, according to your criteria.
• Train: From the stations of Condat-le-Lardin, Périgueux and Brive-la-Gaillarde, you will need rent a vehicle or take a cab.

Where to park near Lascaux Cave?

To visit the cave of Lascaux II, you have parking at the entrance of the site. For Lascaux IV, the P1 car park is a minute walk from the entrance of the International Centre for Pariétal Art. P2 parking is located between the city centre of Montignac and Lascaux IV. You will have to walk 10 minutes to reach the site.

Where to stay near Lascaux Cave?

There is an important offer of accommodation to allow you to visit the cave of Lascaux in the best conditions. To be close to the site, you will put your suitcases in hotels , bed and breakfast or Airbnb for rent in the village of Montignac. But the Dordogne has a lot of charming little villages where to take your neighborhoods, like Les Eyzies or Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère . The campsites are numerous in the region, a good option if you come to visit the cave of Lascaux in summer.

In short you have the embarrassment of choice!

So, what are you waiting for to visit the cave of Lascaux?