Pre-history in France
Within
10 years - if not less - all the major sites where cave
paintings can be seen in Europe will be closed to the
public. The Lascaux caves are already closed: visitors
can see a mock-up of the real thing, but only research
workers can visit the original. The same will happen
to the other major sites very quickly : already, many
are limiting access to small groups a small number of
times per day, to preserve the fragile environment (temperature,
humidity) in which these extraordinary artworks survive.
France à la carte has
created two self-drive tours to allow visitors to see
these works before it is too late. One follows the foothills
of the Pyrenees and the other explores the Lot
and Dordogne valleys. (below)
Self-drive
tour of pre-history sites of the Lot and Dordogne valleys
Cahors - St Cirq-La-Popie - Pech Merle
- Rocamadour - Sarlat - Lascaux II - Rouffignac - Fond
de Gaume
DAY 1: arrive Cahors (either by TGV or plane to Toulouse
and pick-up car) settle into hotel and enjoy a gourmet meal
in the evening.
Day 2: St Cirq Lapopie and the Caves of Pech Merle. A delightful
drive up the Lot valley (30 kms) to St Cirq Lapopie, extraordinarily
well-preserved mediaeval village clinging to a rocky outcrop
above the river. Stroll around the village and have lunch
in one of the many small restaurants. In the afternoon -
during the hottest part of the day - plunge below ground
at Pech Merle (10 minutes from St Cirq) into the cool of
the earth to admire some of the most moving prehistoric artworks
in the world. Return to Cahors by the 'Causses' for overnight
in hotel.
Day 3: Sarlat and the Lascaux II caves. A drive through
the Lot and Dordogne countryside, through oak forests, tiny
villages, past chateaux and monasteries to Sarlat: Queen
of the Dordogne. Spend time walking through the town, examining
the fresh fare on offer in the market, stepping into the
cool interiors of its ancient churches before having lunch.
In
the afternoon head over to Lascaux where the cream of Europe's
cave paintings are displayed. An unforgettable visit. Overnight
in hotel in Perigueux.
Day 4: Rouffignac (the 'Cave of a hundred
Mammoths) and Font de Gaume caves on the menu today. The
return journey could
take
in
the ecclesiastical
centre
and cliff-top village of Rocamadour - an important staging
post on the Pilgrim's Way to St Jacques de Compostelle -
and the nearby Gouffre de Padirac. Overnight in Cahors
Day 5: a walkabout in Cahors, wine town and capital of the
Lot region,
before onward travel.
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