Lascaux Caves

Discover Lascaux caves in southwestern France so famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings. The caves are located near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne. They contain some of the best-known Upper Paleolithic art. These paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old.

The cave contains nearly 2,000 figures, which can be grouped into three main categories — animals, human figures and abstract signs. In recent years, new research has suggested that the Lascaux paintings may incorporate prehistoric star charts.

Most of the major images have been painted onto the walls using mineral pigments, although some designs have also been incised into the stone.

In 1979, Lascaux was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list along with other prehistoric sites in the Vézère valley.