Lascaux Cave

Lascaux is one of the Most Beautiful Caves in France and is a network of caves located near the village of Montignac in the Dordogne department of southwestern France. Over 600 parietal wall paintings adorn the cave's interior walls and ceilings. The paintings primarily depict large animals, typical of the local contemporary fauna, which correspond to the Upper Paleolithic fossil record in the area. They are the result of many generations' work, and the age of the paintings is now usually estimated to be around 17,000 years old, despite ongoing debate (early Magdalenian). Lascaux was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as part of the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley because of its outstanding prehistoric art.

Unfortunately, the cave had to be closed to the public in 1963 due to damage to the paintings caused by the moisture and carbon dioxide in the breath of over 1,200 visitors per day. Visitors who want to experience what it's like inside the Lascaux cave may be interested in visiting the International Center for Cave Art (also known as Lascaux 4), a full-scale and high-tech replica of the Lascaux cave. Around 50 sculptors and artists worked for three and a half years to recreate 600 animal images and 400 symbols. To add authenticity, Lascaux 4 has the same temperature, air pressure, damp smell, and sounds as the original cave.

Location: Montignac, France