Why to Take a Private Tour of Prehistoric Caves in France

While “prehistoric history” isn’t usually the first thing people think of when they imagine visiting France, the truth is that the country is endowed with an astonishing amount of it. Human settlers began inhabiting parts of southwest France over 1.5 million years ago, leaving behind stone tools, funereal remains, and other artefacts to prove it. Much later, between approximately 13,000 and 6000 BC, the civilization known as the Magdalenians ushered in an era of advancement in the realm of art and culture– leaving behind a series of remarkable prehistoric caves in France that are decorated with mysterious, sublime paintings. Clustered in the region known as the Dordogne, these sites remain an enormous draw card for visitors hoping to connect with our distant ancestors.

For anyone seeking a balance between culture, history and luxury on their next French holiday, a bespoke tour of the Dordogne and its many prehistoric riches is certainly a good idea. If you’re interested in exploring this fascinating part of the country but wish to do so without sacrificing comfort and luxury, read on.

See The Dordogne’s Most Beautiful Caves in Style & Comfort

While some travellers will opt to rent a car and explore the prehistoric sites of the Dordogne on their own, one clear advantage of taking a bespoke tour of the area is that you won’t have to do any of the heavy lifting. Your private docent will organise an extraordinary itinerary that will take you straight to the region’s most-stunning caves and other marvels of prehistory, and you’ll be able to sit back and relax as you’re ushered in a comfortable, well-appointed vehicle. Sit back and relax while you enjoy the rugged natural scenery: this is one of France’s most beautiful regions, boasting pristine, rushing rivers, green, unspoiled landscapes and dramatic cliffside villages.

Read related: The Most Beautiful Places for Hiking in France 

There are nearly a dozen prehistoric caves of note in the Dordogne, and your bespoke tour can include as many of these as you wish. Chief on the list will be the astonishing site at Lascaux, which is located about 30 minutes from the town of Sarlat and arguably harbors the most-celebrated prehistoric cave art in the world. While the genuine site has been closed to the public to protect the “Sistine Chapel” of the Upper Paleolithic era from further degradation and damage, the replica cave remains a true marvel. There are some 2,200 figures painted here in minute detail, exactly reproducing the colors and forms of the originals: bulls, deer, wooly rhinoceros, and other animals; intriguingly, only one image of a man graces the walls here.

Related: Our private French history & cultural tours go beyond the ordinary

Other sites worth seeing on your private excursion include the incredible Rouffignac Caves, which extend for several miles underground and are graced with some 150 prehistoric paintings. Here, you’ll see figures of ice-age creatures such as wooly mammoths (rare in prehistoric iconography), as well as bison, ibex and rhinoceros. The trip here includes an intriguing ride on an underground train to traverse the enormous network of subterranean caves. Meanwhile, Les Eyzies is a village situated in the heart of the Vézère Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its paleolithic and prehistoric sites. Wall paintings, caves and archaeological sites abound in the area, and the village itself is a rugged, fascinating place that almost appears carved into the rock itself. Here, you’ll be able to explore the extensive collections of the National Prehistory Museum, explore a genuine Cro-Magnon shelter, and visit the International Centre of Prehistory for even more in-depth exploration of the region’s millennia-long connections to prehistoric humans and civilizations.

In addition to these famous places, there are many other fascinating sites in the Dordogne to include on your bespoke itinerary, from stalactite caves and formations to many other caves marked indelibly by prehistoric humans. We’ll put together one that’s perfect for you.

Combine Culture With Gastronomy and Wine

A second reason to embark on a private tour of the Dordogne and its remarkable prehistoric sites with us? Your tour can easily meld culture and history with an in-depth exploration of the region’s distinctive gastronomy and wine. While other tours focus exclusively on art and archaeology in the region, your bespoke itinerary will also give you an insider’s view of the culinary traditions and winemaking activities that make it so special.

Read related: Why Our Private Wine Tours of France Offer More Than Luxury

You may stop and sample local goat’ and sheep’s cheeses, from Rocamadour and Cabecou de Perigord to Tommette d’Echourgnac, or taste market-fresh specialities made with truffle, walnuts, foie gras or mushrooms. No matter the season, a whirl through local markets to meet the area’s best artisans and get an authentic sense of the ambient culinary culture is always in order.

Read related: Learn All About France’s Finest Cheeses on These Exceptional Tours 

Your private guide can also make arrangements for exclusive tastings in some of the region’s best cellars. Wines to try from the area include vintages from the Cotes de Gascogne near Bergerac; from the Ayveron region, and the Cotes de Dordogne appellation. These are confidential vintnering areas whose secrets will be unlocked during your bespoke tour. Expect nothing short of extraordinary tastings– and if you so choose, we can also arrange for gastronomic dining experiences paired with excellent local wines. Whatever your culinary curiosities, you can be sure that they’ll be sated.

Stay in Luxury & Style

Last but certainly not least, embarking with us on a private tour around France’s most remarkable prehistoric caves and paleolithic sites will allow you to stay in some of the region’s most sought-after hotels. What could be better than following a day of exploring, hiking and tasting with a luxurious evening in beautiful natural surroundings?

Read related: The Most Luxurious Palace Hotels in Paris 

Examples of hotels and lodgings we especially covet include the Chateau des Vigiers, a sprawling 16th-century estate boasting a large golf course and country club, Sothys spa with pools, Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Chef Didier Casaguana and easy access to some of the region’s most extraordinary places.

The Chateau de la Treyne, meanwhile, rivals the fantastic castles of the Loire Valley when it comes to fairytale charm and high luxury. Situated on a rocky bluff overlooking rolling hillsides and the rushing Dordogne river, the turreted chateau was built between the 14th and 17th century and offers both history and sumptuous, palace hotel-level amenities. Enjoy the Michelin starred restaurant, gorgeous period rooms, royal-style gardens, and sweeping terrace overlooking the entire Dordogne riverside area. This would be an excellent choice for a honeymoon in France or an anniversary celebration.

Another excellent choice is Les Glycines in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, an extensive property with lush parklands, an onsite spa and outdoor pool perfect for relaxing at day’s end, rustic yet luxurious wooden lodges surrounded by greenery, and onsite restaurants.

Take a private tour of prehistoric sites in France

If you’re looking for something a bit different on your next luxury getaway to France, a private tour of prehistoric sites in the southwest might just be the ticket. Contact us now to start creating the perfect bespoke itinerary around the Dordogne– balancing culture and high luxury.