The cave
The cave was accidently discovered in September 1940 by 4 kids playing with their dog. It’s located near the village of Montignac in the Dordogne department.
The cave contains nearly 2,000 figures painted on the wall. The paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old. In 1979, Lascaux was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. But a presence of lichens and crystals on the walls led to closure of the caves in 1963. A new air system was installed in 2001and a new type of mold appears on the walls. The cave is now closed to the public. Only archeologists and scientists have the privilege to walk in the original cave today.
Lascaux 2, only one in the world
The original is closed due to contamination but Lascaux 2 is open since 1983. Lascaux 2 is a reproduction of Lascaux. They are situated only 200 meters apart. You can experience the unique visit through the replica 17,000 years old human drawings. The artwork is astonishing. So well replicated that a few seconds after you enter in Lascaux 2, you forgot you are not in the original. If you love time travel, this cave is the portal who will send you around 17,000 years in the past. You will exit this cave as a new person. Try it !
Go see it in Aquitaine 