Cougnac Caves

The Cougnac caves' stunning geological formations and prehistoric cave paintings will delight prehistoric cave enthusiasts. The two caves at Cougnac, discovered in 1949 and 1952, have been open to the public for nearly 70 years. The cave art dates back 30,000 years and includes some of the oldest original cave paintings in France that are still accessible to the public. The motifs in the cave art include ibex, mammoth, the extinct megaceros (deer), and two very rare depictions of a 'wounded man' with spears piercing his body.

Because this is a popular destination for local school trips, you should visit the caves in the afternoon if you want to avoid the crowds. The guided tours begin with a geological tour of the first cave, where visitors can marvel at one of France's most beautiful cave roofs. The second part of the tour focuses on the archeological aspect of the second cave, with a particular emphasis on cave art. The tour of both caves lasts about an hour.

Location: Payrignac, France