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Grotte de Lascaux (Cave of Lascaux) Description: Discovered by chance in 1940 by a group of teenagers, the cave paintings at Lascaux are considered to be among the world’s best examples of prehistoric art. The area around Périgueux features many such cave paintings, although the 15,000-year-old images of bulls, horses and reindeer are believed to be some of the best. After the discovery of the cave, the increasing levels of carbon dioxide emitted by visitors were found to be damaging the paintings and, as a result, the caves were sealed in 1963, following an order from the French Ministry of Cultural Affairs. In order to compensate for the closure, a precise cement replica of the original caves, known as Lascaux II, was opened to the public in 1983; these caves feature the two most important parts of the original caves, the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery. Visitors can also see a replica of the Shaft of the Dead Man, the Chamber of Felines and the Chamber of Engravings. Contact Addresses: Grotte de Lascaux, Semitour Périgord, 25 rue du Président Wilson, BP 1024, 24001 Périgueux Cedex, France Tel: (05) 5335 5010. Fax: (05) 5306 3094. E-mail: semitour@perigord.tm.fr Website: www.culture.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en Transportation: Air: Périgueux-Basillac Airport. Rail: Train: Condat-Le-Lardin Station. Road: Bus: Services to Périgueux (from Montignac). Car: D901, D31 and D86 (from Brive-La-Gaillarde) or N21, D705, D4, D75, D7, D31 and D86 (from Périgueux). Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1230 and 1400-1730 (12 Nov-29 Mar); daily 0930-1830 (30 Mar-30 Jun); daily 0900-2000 (1 Jul-1 Sep); daily 0930-1830 (2-30 Sep); daily 1000-1230 and 1400-1800 (1 Oct- 11 Nov). Closed 1 Jan and 25 Dec. Admission Fees: EUR7.7/FFr51 (adult), EUR4.5/FFr30 (child 6-12), free (child under 6). 
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