The original Grotte de Lascaux is located within the municipality of Montignac in the Dordogne department. When planning a visit to Lascaux IV, it is worth keeping the different tour formats in mind: guided tours with an interpreter are offered in the morning and afternoon, while a self-guided tour with an audio guide is available at lunchtime. Times may change, so check the current schedule in advance.
Lascaux and views over the Vézère Valley
The visitor experience at Lascaux IV also includes a viewpoint overlooking the Vézère Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lets you add a view of the landscape to your outing. The Grotte de Lascaux and Lascaux IV are two distinct points of reference: the original cave is within the municipality, while the tour formats and viewpoint mentioned here belong to Lascaux IV.
Historic buildings and culture in Montignac
You can also encounter the town’s history around the tourist office, which is housed in the former Saint-Jean Hospital, dating from the 14th century. Thirty metres away stands the Prieuré Saint Georges, built in the same century as a chapel for the neighbouring hospital. Today, the Prieuré hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events. These historic buildings thus combine their former religious and medical uses with cultural offerings today.
Montignac’s architectural heritage also includes a medieval street lined with 13th-century half-timbered houses, considered particularly picturesque. The houses and street give the townscape a distinctive historic character, alongside the visits and events at the Prieuré.
Two circular routes with different focuses
Two circular routes of different lengths and with different themes are available for walks. The seven-kilometre “Montignac – promenade de Lascaux” starts at the tourist office and is designed for walkers to take about two hours. The shorter, 4.5-kilometre loop, “Dans les pas des inventeurs de Lascaux,” follows in the footsteps of the discoverers of the Grotte de Lascaux. The first route therefore has a named starting point and an approximate time frame, while the second is dedicated to the discoverers. As route details may be updated, it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting out.
Canoeing and local producers
Another activity is offered by the Lascaux Canoë base in the heart of Montignac-Lascaux, 400 metres from Lascaux IV. It offers four routes ranging from four to 17 kilometres. You can choose from canoes seating two to five people, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards; use is not subject to a time limit. Operators’ offerings and seasonal availability may change, so check in advance which routes and equipment are available for your planned visit.
The market complements the cultural and outdoor activities with a glimpse of local producers. They can be found on Quai MĂ©rilhou, Place Carnot and in the surrounding streets. These locations provide specific places to visit the market without assuming that any particular products are available. Together with the historic buildings, the two thematically distinct circular routes and the opportunities for canoeing, Montignac thus offers several separate options for planning a stay.
Discover more destinations: Coulaures, Brantôme, Salignac-Eyvigues, Abjat-Sur-Bandiat, Trélissac, Grignols, Verteillac, Nabirat
Go to the main travel overview: Dordogne.
