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On our way from Rouffignac to La Roque Christophe we went through Tursac (onD706) and stopped briefly to look at the 12C Romanesque church with its heavy central bell tower above the west entrance which is graced by simple carvings above the similarly decorated lintel. The church has a series of small domes as its original typical Perigord vaulting which has been covered internally by Gothic vaulting.
Written Jun 21, 2009
The cliff (roque) rises along the bank of the Vezere (actually hollowed out by it ages ago). It has rising inclined strata that the ancient humans could climb and obstruct. In a safe area they used or enlarged existing cavities and caverns in the cliff as shelters (like a sort of bee-hive). This began about 20,000 BC. The National Museum at Eyzies contains numerous artefacts from here. This was not a place for cave paintings (which were made very deep in caves, far deeper inside than humans would go to live), so the objects found here were utilitarian and "religious". We did not have the stamina for the climb and so our pictures are from a distance. There are guided tours of about an hour (in French); it is open daily but closed during the lunch hours.
Updated Jun 19, 2009
The cave is 5 km aouth of town of Rouffignac (marked). It has been known for centuries and has extensive extensions chambers and galleries. The wall paintings and engravings were only discovered in 1956. They have been determined to be late Magdalenian (10,000BC) but a few are thought be much older, the earliest works in the area.. The tour is over 2 miles in length and is conducted in an open car electric train and is quite comfortable. Many animal types are seen. Most memorable to us was an engraved depiction of the wooly mammoth (one of the oldest works) and other later pachyderms.
Written Jun 19, 2009
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In our Introduction we describe the mechanics of our day at Les Eyzies. You can only get to the cave by car. Take D47-D32 Northeast out of Les Eyzies (direction Perigueux) to Miremont and then right with D32 until a cave right turnoff (marked). The cave is out in the forest. The tour starts nearby.
Written Jun 19, 2009
What an incredibly interesting and beautiful area. Everywhere you look, you see hundreds of ancient cave dwellings. Went to the Grotte (cave) Fonte de Gaume -- was somewhat disappointed with the very faint pictographs and limited access as a captured audience (and is usually only narrated in French). The town pre-history museum could be better considering they have 150,000 years of mankinds history to pick from. They seem to have the best caves sealed-off to the public. Tip: The website at www.grottes-en-france.com has a very good database on French caves. Just the same, as you can see in these pictures, we had a terrific time driving around this beautiful area and back to Sarlat.
Updated Aug 15, 2006
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This is where the name Cro-Magnon came from, a little hamlet that is now part of the village of Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac. It is at the railway level-crossing just south of the railway station. Opposite the crossing is the Hotel Cro-Magnon, and to the left – as you look at the hotel – is a small gravel lane leading up, parallel to the road to Tayac and the station, to a house. Just to the side of this house, under the shelter of the overhanging cliff is the place where Cro-Magnon man was first discovered.
Nothing remains here now other than a UNESCO World Heritage Site plaque, a lime tree and some ferns growing at the base of the cliff. It is possibly the one single site in the Vezere valley where you can sit, close your eyes and imagine the peace and quiet of the valley all those eons ago.
The artefacts found here are now on display in various museums around the world, including the National Museum of Prehistory just a few hundred metres away down the road. (The main artefact – the Cro-Magnon skull is still in the Musee de l’Homme in Paris…even after the move of most of that museum to the Musee du quai Branly)
From L’Abris Cro-Magnon, you can walk back to Les-Eyzies or cross the road to the various shelters and caves that line the right bank of the Vezere (including the L’Abris de Poisson and le Grand Roc). In the hamlet of Tayac further down the lane, is a more peaceful part of Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac, including its important church.
Written Aug 2, 2006
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Reviews and photos of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Les Eyzies-de-Tayac sightseeing.
This is where the name Cro-Magnon came from, a little hamlet that is now part of the village of Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac. It is at the railway level-crossing just...
Q: Dear fellow VTers I'm considering visiting Perigueux / Sarlat in the first week of December. I'll be travelling alone and on...
A: Hi, Les Eyzies is accessible from Perigueux and Sarlat by TER train. Couldn't find any details of buses. The village is a lovely place and has a Museum of Prehistory...
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Quite simply, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac is the world's capital of prehistory. Many other places around the world can lay some claim to being important through virtue of a site or two, but Les...
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Where the Prehistoric Sites Are
At Eyzies we first drove to Font-de-Gaume in the early morning only to find that the limited morning tours were filled and so we reserved tickets for the later afternoon tour. We had anticipated this...
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Cliffs/caves of Cro-Magnon man
Le Ferme de Tayac: This was our 2nd base B&B, which is an 1100 AD Abbey. There are several buildings which are all restored and full of fun antiques. Giant lounge rooms for reading and music. Not a TV...
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As you follow the pre-history trail around the Dordogne one of the stops has to be the small town of Les Eyzies. As well as hosting the Museum of Prehistory (see tips) it also provides the traveller...
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Prehistoric Les Eyzies de Tayac
The area around Les Eyzies de Tayac (2 hours east of Bordeaux in the Dordogne region) is known as the World Capital of Prehistory The Dordogne is split into four areas: the Périgord Vert (green), the...
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