The teenagers discovered that the cave walls were covered with depictions of animals. They entered the cave through a 15-metre-deep (50-foot) shaft that they believed might be a legendary secret passage to the nearby Lascaux Manor. On 12 September 1940, the entrance to the Lascaux Cave was discovered on the La Rochefoucauld-Montbel lands by 18-year-old Marcel Ravidat when his dog, Robot, investigated a hole left by an uprooted tree (Ravidat would embellish the story in later retellings, saying Robot had fallen into the cave.) Ravidat returned to the scene with three friends, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agnel, and Simon Coencas. History since rediscovery Modern entrance to the Lascaux cave

The original caves have been closed to the public since 1963, as their condition was deteriorating, but there are now a number of replicas. Because of the outstanding prehistoric art in the cave, Lascaux was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, as an element of the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley. They are the combined effort of many generations and, with continued debate, the age of the paintings is now usually estimated at around 17,000 years (early Magdalenian). The paintings represent primarily large animals, typical local contemporary fauna that correspond with the fossil record of the Upper Paleolithic in the area. Over 600 parietal wall paintings cover the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. Lascaux ( English: / l æ ˈ s k oʊ/ la- SKOH, US also / l ɑː ˈ s k oʊ/ lah- SKOH French: Grotte de Lascaux, 'Lascaux Cave') is a network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne in southwestern France. The dining is delicious and reasonably priced, as are the wines. We have connections in the area and intend to get to Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq-Lapopoe, and Belves in the future. Castlenaud has the medieval war demonstrations with catapults if you have a taste for that. Chateau Milande, home to Josephine Baker is another half day with great gardens and architecture. It is easy to spend a half day, it is far more than the sculpted boxwood on most photos. The Jardins Marqueyssac are exquisite with a fine view of the river. It was worth pulling off the road and taking a ridiculous number of photos. We also encountered a veritable army of ducks marching back to their evening quarters near Tursac. There is a minor charge and it is on an insanely narrow road but is fascinating. Either to or from Lascaux, stop at the Bories du Breuil to see old circular houses entirely made of stone including the roof. You can also do the National Museum at Les Eyzies de Tayac devoted to the era if you have interest. Lascaux for the reproduction of the prehistoric paintings is outstanding. We finished in Beynac and were inspired to return to the Chateau later for a tour. Pulling out in La Roque-Gageac for a village stroll and lunch is a great stop. He recommends the kayak trip down the Dordogne River which is a wonderful adventure. Hi Carol, the RS guidebook is no slouch for the Dordogne area.

Dordogne france on map