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Les Eyzies
A village beneath limestone cliffs on the Vézère, home to the National Museum of Prehistory and many nearby sites.
Les Eyzies is a small village tucked beneath tall limestone cliffs where the Beune stream meets the Vézère. It calls itself the world capital of prehistory, and with good reason: within a short drive lie dozens of decorated caves and rock shelters, many of them part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Vézère Valley.
The village itself is a single main street with the National Museum of Prehistory built into the cliff above. It makes the best base in the valley for anyone who wants to see original cave art rather than replicas.
Where to stay- Area
- Vézère Valley, Périgord Noir
- Type of place
- Village and prehistory centre
- Best known for
- Original decorated caves and the National Museum of Prehistory
- Time to allow
- A full day or more
- World Heritage
- Prehistoric sites and decorated caves of the Vézère Valley (UNESCO, 1979)
- Combines well with
- Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Lascaux IV, Sarlat, Le Bugue
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Where to stay near Les Eyzies
Prototype propertyLa Liberté Studio
Sarlat-la-Canéda · 17 km away
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Why Les Eyzies matters
The cliffs of the Vézère are full of natural shelters, and people lived in them for tens of thousands of years. Excavations here in the nineteenth century shaped the way prehistory is studied, and the name Cro-Magnon comes from a rock shelter in the village, where human remains were found in 1868.
What makes the area unusual is that some caves with original paintings and engravings are still open to small numbers of visitors. Seeing real Ice Age art, rather than a copy, is a rare experience and the main reason people travel here.
The National Museum of Prehistory
The museum sits under the overhang of the cliff, with a statue of an early human looking out over the village. Its collections of tools, carved objects and burials cover the whole of the Palaeolithic period and give context to everything you see in the caves.
It is a good place to start your visit, and a good choice for a wet day.
Caves and shelters around the village
These are among the best known sites within easy reach of Les Eyzies.
- Font-de-Gaume
- One of the last caves in France with original polychrome paintings open to the public. Visitor numbers are strictly limited.
- Les Combarelles
- A long, narrow cave with hundreds of fine engravings. Small groups only.
- Abri du Cap Blanc
- A rock shelter with a large sculpted frieze of horses carved into the wall.
- Grotte du Grand Roc
- A cave known for its dense crystal formations rather than art.
- Abri Pataud
- A rock shelter with excavated layers of occupation and a small museum.
- Abri de Cro-Magnon
- The shelter that gave its name to Cro-Magnon people, in the village itself.
Booking the decorated caves
Because the original caves are fragile, the number of visitors each day is kept low. Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarelles in particular can fill well in advance in summer.
Booking arrangements change, so check the official site for how and when tickets are released. If you cannot get a place, Lascaux IV and the other replica and museum sites in the valley are a good alternative.
Planning your visit
Les Eyzies has car parks along the main road and near the river. Check current parking arrangements before you travel; the village is busy in July and August.
Caves are cool and damp all year, so take a warm layer. Some sites have steps and uneven floors, and some are not suitable for very young children; check each site's rules before you book.
Opening times vary by site and season, and several close for part of the winter.
What to combine with Les Eyzies
Upstream, the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère and the cliff site of La Roque Saint-Christophe make a fine half day. Further on, Montignac is home to Lascaux IV.
Downstream, Le Bugue has an aquarium and other family attractions, and the canoe routes on the Vézère pass right through the village in summer.
Village · Périgord Noir
Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
A quiet riverside village on a bend of the Vézère, with a Romanesque church and two châteaux.
Prehistory · Périgord Noir
Lascaux IV
The International Centre for Cave Art at Montignac, with a full-size replica of the Lascaux cave paintings.
Medieval market town · Périgord Noir
Sarlat-la-Canéda
The medieval capital of the Périgord Noir, with honey-coloured stone lanes and one of the region's best-known markets.
Questions about Les Eyzies
Can you still see real cave paintings at Les Eyzies?
Yes. Font-de-Gaume has original polychrome paintings and Les Combarelles has original engravings. Visitor numbers are limited, so book ahead.
How long should I spend in Les Eyzies?
At least a full day for the museum and one or two caves. Many visitors spend several days in the valley.
Is Les Eyzies good for children?
Older children usually enjoy the caves and shelters. Check age rules for each cave, as some do not admit very young children.
Is Lascaux near Les Eyzies?
Yes. Lascaux IV is at Montignac, further up the Vézère Valley, and is easy to combine on the same trip.
Do I need to book Font-de-Gaume?
Yes, it is strongly advised. Places are limited each day. Check the official site for current booking arrangements.
Opening times, prices and parking change. Check before you travel: Musée national de Préhistoire, Lascaux Dordogne Vallée Vézère tourist office.