Because of the truly fantastic paintings and drawings of approx. 2000 animals as well as the symbolic signs drawn on the walls, the Cave of Lascaux is also known as the “Sistine Chapel” and the “Prehistoric Versailles”. The original cave of Lascaux, 150 meters long, was discovered in 1940 and, after scientific research, opened to the public in 1948. But, both the carbon dioxide that is exhaled by the visitors and the tripling water turned out the be a threat for the conservation of the paintings and drawings. Therefore, the cave was closed in 1963. Two out of four hallways with rooms from the upper floors in the cage have been exactly reconstructed in a cave at approx. 200 meters distance from the actual cave, in a cave construction that was specially designed for this purpose. The cave, Lascaux II, has been open for public since 1983. There also is an exposition of the history of the cave and of the painting- and drawing techniques of the prehistoric artists.
For more information check www.culture.gouv.fr/culure/arcnat/lascaux
Distance Château du Bois Noir – Montignac/Lascaux: 35 Km.
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