The first cave was discovered in 1949. It contains a very rich density of concretions: a frozen rain of thousands of stalactites falling from the ceiling and draperies.
Three years later, in 1952, a few dozen meters from the first cave, Lucien Gouloumes, René Borne, Jean Mazet, Roger, Maurice Boudet and Alphonse Sauvant discovered a second cave.
This time, alongside the concretions, various traces left by our Upper Paleolithic ancestors appear in alcoves. The decorated cave has been classified Historical monument in 1954.
Prehistoric man cleared away the concretions before starting his artistic work. They used the relief of the cave walls to recreate the volume of animal figures: large deer (megaceros), ibex, mammoths, but also human figures (wounded men). There is also evidence of the use of lithophones (musical concretions).
The first figures in the parietal decorations have been dated. carbon-14 30,000 years ago (Gravettian), and the most recent at 14,000 years ago (Magdalenian). They are among the oldest figurative drawings open to the public.
A guided tour of the Cougnac caves will give you a better understanding of how the artists who expressed themselves here interacted with the cave walls!
Practical information
Length of visit: 1H
Temperature inside the Cougnac caves: 13°C
Reservations only for groups (20 people).
Photos/videos may be taken in the mineral cave, but not in the prehistoric cave.
No pets allowed.
The Cougnac caves are not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Boutique with gifts and souvenirs
Grottes de Cougnac was last modified: August 16th, 2025 by cougnac46
