GB
US
Dordogne - Cave Art
From £2,595
Summary
Famed for its caves, the Dordogne Valley has some of the earliest and finest examples of prehistoric cave art. That’s not all, on this trip to rural France you’ll discover picturesque villages, sensational cuisine and a wealth of history.
Vividly brought to life in ochre and charcoal are wild animals and human figures up to 30,000 years old. Our Guide Lecturer's tell the story of the art, its discovery and what is known of the people who created it. We will see some of the world famous rock art sites – taking you as close as it is possible to get to the lives of our most remote Ice Age ancestors.
Please note, cave visits may vary according to seasonal opening hours and therefore the itinerary may change.
Book Now
Your Departure date
Today's Price
£2,595
Deposit: £500 Single supplement: £240
Includes flights
Keeping you safe on your next tour
-
FREE 'Travel Safe' kits for every traveller
-
COVID-19 insurance
-
Enhanced Health and Safety audits
-
Distanced seating on coaches
-
'Get me home' service and private airport transfers
-
COVID protocols at our hotels, and aboard our cruise ships
-
Packed lunches and flexible dining options
-
Flexible balance payment date and COVID-friendly refund conditions
-
COVID-testing and medical training for tour staff
-
Constant monitoring and post-tour tracing
Meet your Experts
Dr Rob Dinnis
Guide Lecturer
Dr Rob Dinnis is an expert on the Palaeolithic, and particularly the archaeology of the last Ice Age.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - London - Bordeaux
We depart from London and fly to Bordeaux. Upon arrival, we drive to our hotel in Les Eyzies.
| Hotel | Hôtel le Centenaire |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Dinner |
Day 2 - Abri du Poisson - Laugerie Haute - Cap Blanc
We start our tour at the small rock shelter known as Abri du Poisson. Our next stop will be to the fascinating site of Laugerie Haute, with remains of occupation dating from the Upper Palaeolithic. After lunch, we visit the excavations at Abri Pataud where archaeologists have been attempting to trace artistic progress through the millennia. Then we move on to the Musée de l’Abri Cro-Magnon. The day ends at the rock shelter at Cap Blanc, a rare example of Ice Age sculpted bas-reliefs and the best still in situ which are open to the public.
| Hotel | Hôtel le Centenaire |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 3 - Lascaux IV centre - Le Thot
This morning will be dedicated to the newly established Lascaux IV centre. Lascaux is the most famous and spectacular of all decorated caves, with hundreds of paintings and 1,500 engravings, best known for its awe inspiring depictions of aurochs, horses and deer. After exploring here we drive to the park at Le Thot, where animals which would have been extant in the Ice Age are bred and kept. We will have an independent lunch in Montignac, before heading to Lascaux II for the afternoon.
| Hotel | Hôtel le Centenaire |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
Day 4 - Rouffignac - Font de Gaume
We travel by electric train into the cave system of Rouffignac, more than five miles long. Known as the Cave of the Hundred Mammoths, about one-third of all mammoth depictions known are found in this cave. In this cave there is also evidence of not only human existence, but scratch marks from cave bears too. We take a short drive to Font de Gaume, the only decorated cave in France with multicoloured paintings which remains open to the public. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to over 200 representations of animals.
| Hotel | Hôtel le Centenaire |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 5 - Cougnac - Pech Merle
Our first visit is to Cougnac, two caves are found here which contain the claw-marks of cave bears and fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations. We also see paintings of mammoths, ibex, human type figures and three megaloceros, many of which take advantage of the natural shapes of the cave wall. Continue to Pech Merle, with painted black outlines of aurochs, mammoth, spotted-horses, geometric shapes and handprints. This cave reveals a full repertoire of cave art techniques and material - it is truly thought-provoking and an unforgettable experience.
| Hotel | Hôtel le Centenaire |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 6 - Bordeaux - London
This morning, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.
| Meals included | Breakfast |
|---|
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Expert Guide Lecturer
- Professional Tour Manager
- Local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach
- Meals as per the itinerary, wine and tea or coffee with dinner
- Accommodation
- Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
- All taxes & gratuities
- Field notes
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 May 2021 | ADOR210525 | 25 May 2021 (Tuesday) | 30 May 2021 (Sunday) | Dr Rob Dinnis | £2,445 (inc. flights) |
£500 | £225 | Book Now |
| 7 September 2021 | ADOR210907 | 7 September 2021 (Tuesday) | 12 September 2021 (Sunday) | Dr Paul Bahn | £2,445 (inc. flights) |
£500 | £225 | Book Now |
| 19 April 2022 | ADOR220419 | 19 April 2022 (Tuesday) | 24 April 2022 (Sunday) | Dr Paul Bahn | £2,595 (inc. flights) |
£500 | £240 | Book Now |
| 31 May 2022 | ADOR220531 | 31 May 2022 (Tuesday) | 5 June 2022 (Sunday) | Dr Rob Dinnis | £2,595 (inc. flights) |
£500 | £240 | Book Now |
| 28 June 2022 | ADOR220628 | 28 June 2022 (Tuesday) | 3 July 2022 (Sunday) | Dr Rob Dinnis | £2,595 (inc. flights) |
£500 | £240 | Book Now |
Tour Enquiries
