Bara-Bahau cave Bara-Bahau cave Bara-Bahau cave

Bara-Bahau cave

Bear sanctuary

Bara Bahau cave

The Bara-Bahau (or Bara-Bao) cave, some 100 m long, is one of the Palaeolithic caves in the Vézère valley (Dordogne, France).

It is of geological interest, notably for its eccentric concretions, and above all prehistoric, for the parietal engravings it contains. Its name comes from a local Occitan onomatopoeia meaning "badaboum", in reference to the collapsed blocks visible in the first room. Privately owned and open to the public, it was listed as a historic monument in 1961.

THE CAVE ENTRANCE

Formerly known as the Trou de la Cocagne, the entrance to this immense cavern was a popular picnic spot for the locals. In 1951, adventurers and speleologists Maud and Raoul Casteret were invited by Marcel Maufrangeas, president of the Bugue tourist office, to explore its most secret depths. Lying on the ground, Maud saw the first engraved features: a horse, then a cow "with beautiful horns". All in all, she discovered sixteen very large engravings that day.

THE ENGRAVING ROOM

At the far end of the gallery, cave bears hibernated in the tightest spot. Under their claws, the first artists crawled to draw three gigantic frescoes of animals from their era, lying down, on their knees and then standing up: aurochs, bison, reindeer, prehistoric horses, all engaged in a mad race to the depths of the cave. A masterpiece of cave art to be seen in its original version at BARA-BAHAU.

Equipment

Pricing details

2022 rates

Individual rates :
Children's price (6 to 15 years): €5.30
Adult price: €7.50

Reduced rates (on presentation of proof: disabled, unemployed, student) :
Children's price (6 to 15 years): €4.80
Adult price: €6.00

Group rates :
Adult group price: €5.80
Group price for children (aged 6 to 15): €4.60

-20% valid for visitors to Le Bournat on presentation of admission ticket

Dates and times

Opening 2022 :

From Saturday, April 2 to Saturday, July 9, 2022 Open every day except Monday, from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm.

From sunday, july 10 to sunday, august 28, 2022 open daily from 10am to 7pm.

From Tuesday, August 30 to Sunday, October 2, 2022 Open every day except Monday and Tuesday, from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm.

From Saturday, October 22 to Sunday, November 6 Open every day except Monday, from 2pm to 5pm.

Spoken languages

 

Address:

Bara Bahau cave 24260 Le Bugue

Sector

Black Périgord
Online booking

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