🕳️ The Caves of the Dordogne
Paleolithic cave systems in southwestern France
📌 Fast Facts
- Region: Aquitaine, southwestern France
- Age: Occupied 40,000–10,000 years ago
- Notable sites: Font-de-Gaume, Les Combarelles, Rouffignac
- UNESCO inscription: 1979
The Caves of the Dordogne are a series of Paleolithic rock shelters and cave systems in the Périgord region of southwestern France that contain some of Europe's oldest known human art and occupation evidence. The cluster includes dozens of decorated caves with hand stencils, animal paintings, and engravings dating between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. As of 2026, most major sites remain accessible to visitors through regulated tours, though some caves such as Font-de-Gaume operate under strict ...