Montignac, the city of Lascaux
The village of Montignac is located in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne. Just 12 km from Le Pont de Mazerat campsite, discover the jewel in the town’s crown: the Lascaux caves. Take a unique and unforgettable journey back in time with a visit to these world-famous caves in the Vézère valley.
The history of Lascaux
Did you know that 4 teenagers discovered the Lascaux cave in Montignac in 1940?
At the time, Marcel, Jacques, Georges and Simon had no idea of the importance of the discovery they had just made!
8 years later, this prehistoric cave was opened to the public. But the crowds it attracts are causing irreversible damage to this fragile site. As a result, the Lascaux cave was definitively closed to the public in 1963. A complete reproduction of the cave, Lascaux 2, opened in 1983. Then in 2016, Lascaux 4 saw the light of day with the inauguration of the international center for cave art.
Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Lascaux cave is one of the finest Upper Palaeolithic cave paintings in the world. Indeed, the number, quality and preservation of his works are extraordinary.
Lascaux 4 is perfectly integrated into its surroundings, at the foot of Lascaux hill. Discover prehistoric landscapes and fauna before the highlight of the visit, the discovery of the Lascaux cave, reproduced in its original size. You can admire paintings and frescoes dating back 17,000 years!
Visits and practical information
The Lascaux cave is open all year round, from 8am to 10pm in the summer and from 10am to 7pm in the off-season. The guided tour lasts around 1h30.
We strongly recommend booking online. As the site is particularly popular in summer, you may not be able to get a seat without booking in advance.
Adult admission €22, €14.50 for children aged 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. By booking online, you benefit from a €1 discount on all fares.
- Don’t forget: every evening throughout the summer, enjoy an original and unique experience with the ” Prestige Tour “, a torch-lit tour of the cave! (price per person: €35).
Visit Montignac and the Périgord Noir region
The Périgord Noir is full of wonders to discover during your vacation. In addition to the famous Lascaux caves, discover the village of Les Eyzies, the world capital of prehistory. Discover the traces of early man in the Vézère valley by visiting the Cro-Magnon shelter, the Combarelles cave or the national prehistory museum.
Continue on to the village of Le Bugue, on the banks of the Vézère. A chance to cool off in the river and stop off at the Aquarium du Bugue, Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium. Right next door is the Parc du Bournat, an 8-hectare reconstruction of local life in 1900.
Sarlat is also a must-see during your camping holiday. This medieval town has retained all its charm, with cobbled streets, historic monuments and St. Sacerdos Cathedral.
Finally, if you love villages with character and châteaux, continue on from Sarlat along the D57 to Beynac and its château. You can also admire Les Milandes, the former home of Josephine Baker, or La Roque Gageac, listed as one of France’s “most beautiful villages”.
Plan your next camping vacation near Montignac
Are you dreaming of a quiet campsite in the heart of the Dordogne countryside, close to tourist attractions?
If so, you’ll love staying at Le Pont de Mazerat campsite, just 15 minutes from Montignac and the Lascaux cave.
This family-run campsite welcomes you in the heart of a vast wooded area and 300 meters from the Tamniès lake, ideal for swimming and fishing to your heart’s content.
At this 4-star campsite, you can choose to stay in a fully-equipped mobile home, a comfortable wooden chalet or one of the unusual accommodations available (coco sweet, canvas hut, safari tent or tit’home) – the choice is yours!
Fans of authentic camping prefer to reserve one of the bare or pre-equipped pitches available. Spacious and delimited for maximum privacy, these plots make it easy to set up your tent, caravan or motorhome.
Finally, to keep you entertained during your stay near the Lascaux cave, Le Pont de Mazerat campsite has a large heated swimming pool and a paddling pool, as well as playgrounds, a bouncy castle and more.