Lascaux Cave Paintings

The Dordogne region of France has amazing prehistoric sites that are ideal for history buffs and historians who want to go beyond the pages of their history textbooks. This UNESCO world heritage site contains stunning prehistoric paintings that are among the best examples of Paleolithic art anywhere in the world.

Although the cave has been closed to visitors in order to prevent damage, a replica of the cave can be seen at the nearby Lascaux II site. Aside from that, you can go to the Grotte de Rouffignac in the Vézère Valley, which is full of paintings of cows, horses, deer, bison, goats, and, most importantly, Mammoths. There are also rock paintings dating from 14,000 to 10,000 BC in the Grotte du Mas d'Azil and Grotte De Niaux.

• Key attractions: Explore the town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège to see more sites, like the Grotte de Lombrives, Grotte de Bédeilhac, and the Grotte de la Vache.