An exceptional natural site, one of the best preserved in the Vézère valley, the village of La Madeleine has attracted mankind from prehistoric times to the present day.
At the foot of the cliff, 17,000 years ago, our semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer ancestors settled here. The site's prehistoric deposit gave its name to this prehistoric civilization: the Magdalenian.
The exhibition retraces the major discoveries of the archaeological site: the Mammoth engraved...in Mammoth ivory, the burial of the Magdalene child, whose adornment is made of more than 1,150 pierced shells...And of course, the masterpiece representing the apogee of the art of our Cro-Magnon ancestors: the Bison "licking its flank".
Halfway up the cliff, you will discover a medieval troglodyte village. It was inhabited from the early Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. Among the buildings carved into the rock is a remarkable 15th-century Gothic chapel, as if clinging to the cliff, and on the limestone plateau above are the remains of the 13th-century château du Fort de la Laisse.
Here, the eye of the beholder will humbly note the skill and ingenuity of these "troglodyte" rural dwellers, who have taken advantage of their natural environment (stone, wood, water and farmland) to build their refuge. At a time when we are questioning the use of our resources, coming to La Madeleine can serve as an example for our future.
In the heart of the Périgord Noir, the village of La Madeleine welcomes you all year round: family visits, group tours or guided tours for schoolchildren. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic area with a magnificent view over the valley.
Get ready for an extraordinary journey, taking you from prehistory (17,000 years ago) through the Middle Ages to the present day... Enjoy your visit !
Activities in the Madeleine village
Discovering traditional crafts
From mid-July to the end of August, on Sundays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Orian & Marie invite you to make traditional bread. (no extra charge)
Valentin, the hardwood craftsman, will explain the heart of his trade, which is still practised today. You can meet them on Mondays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (no extra charge).
Discover the forge with Bruno and Mano from the Carrié Forge Association. Arts and crafts on Tuesdays (no extra charge.)
Basket-making with Jeanne is no easy job, and it's not for nothing that the expression "to be winnowed" has survived the centuries. Meet Jeanne on Wednesdays in July and August between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (no extra charge).
The Medicinal Plants workshop: nature has so much to offer us, Magherita will help you discover the treasures that surround us and their uses. You'll make a treatment and leave with it on Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm (€12 per person, registration required).
Claude will show you how to cut and assemble Lauze on Fridays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (no extra charge).
Children's workshops
On Tuesdays at 11am, children will try their hand at prehistoric painting and discover the different pigments and tools used by our ancestors, humanity's first artists (children aged 6 to 12).
Wednesdays at 11 a.m.: Workshops on engraving flint, the sharp stone found in fields.
Outdoor yoga
In the privileged setting of the village of La Madeleine, in the open air with a magnificent view of the Vézère river, you can practice yoga every Wednesday evening in July and August from 6.30 pm to 8 pm (€13 per lesson) Information and registration with Annet: by phone +33 (0)7 66 49 10 43 or by e-mail: yogalamadeleine@gmail.com
Village de La Madeleine was last modified: August 16th, 2025 by hamelinperigordvacances
Opening times and seasons
- March, April, May, November: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- June, September: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- July, August: 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- October: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tour duration: 1 hour
Address:
Village Troglodytique de la Madeleine - Route de la Madeleine - 24620 TURSAC
