Cave Art of the Dordogne
Summary
Discover the greatest concentration of decorated caves in Europe
The beauty of the Dordogne is undisputed – lush walnut groves and mellow limestone, dramatic chateaux and sinuous rivers blend harmoniously in one of France’s best loved regions. For Andante guests, however, its greatest beauty lies in the greatest concentration of decorated caves in Europe. Vividly brought to life in ochre and charcoal are wild animals and human figures up to 30,000 years old. Dr Paul Bahn and Dr Robert Dinnis tell the story of the art, its discovery and what is known of the people who created it – the first true ‘old masters’, caught in the extreme cold of the last Ice Age. We will visit 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.
What to Expect
- Discover images from the world-famous painted cave of Lascaux at the Interpretation Centre, Lascaux IV
- Enjoy an extended itinerary taking in verdant landscapes and limestone plateaux of the Dordogne and sites around Poitiers
- Gain insights from renowned experts in rock art and the archaeology of the last Ice Age
- View the extraordinary UNESCO-listed cave system at Grotte de Rouffignac
