PEACH MERLE CAVE
2024
Go there and contact
Immerse yourself in the history of mankind with this cave, which contains numerous paintings dating back over 20,000 years!
The Lot department has its own Lascaux: the Grotte du Pech Merle in the Célé valley! But here, we visit the real cave, decorated with authentic paintings over 25,000 years old. What a thrill! Described by Abbé Breuil as "the Sistine Chapel of the Causses du Lot, one of the most beautiful monuments of Paleolithic pictorial art", with almost 800 recorded motifs, Pech Merle is a major site in European prehistory. Over 600 m of galleries and vast halls, you'll successively discover the black frieze (bison, mammoths, horses over 7 m in length), the Hall of Discs with its curious concretions and moving human footprints, the engraving of a bear's head, a mammoth in relief, then the Bear Gallery. Finally, you'll appreciate the famous fresco of the Punctuated Horses, surrounded by stenciled hands, which is very moving to observe. Two types of visit are possible, in addition to numerous other activities and events throughout the year. The Centre de Préhistoire is also a newly renovated museum, with two exhibition rooms on prehistory and Quercy art, and a documentary film on prehistoric art. Good news: the museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. And a valuable tip to avoid frustration: book your visit to the cave via the website! To preserve the cave and its paintings, the number of visitors is limited, and the museum's success is undeniable.
Further information
Opening time and information on PEACH MERLE CAVE
Open daily from Easter to All Saints' Day. Low season: open from 9:30am to 12pm and from 1:30pm to 5pm. High season: 9.15am to 5pm. The museum is open until 6pm. Adults: €14. Children (5 to 14 years): €8.50 (€3.50 -5 years). Groups (20 people): €10.50. To preserve the cave and its paintings, the number of visitors is limited each day. Reservations are required all year round. American Express, Chèque Vacances. Wheelchair access to the museum. Guided tours. Restaurant services. Gift store.
Members' reviews on PEACH MERLE CAVE
La muséographie sur la préhistoire est plutôt réussie.