The cave of Villars is the only cave in Périgord to house both original prehistoric paintings and concretions.
The underground river has carved out immense chambers linked by galleries. Follow the guide to one of the most beautiful natural settings created by seeping water. 600 meters of easy-to-navigate corridors and galleries reveal the full splendor of the cave.
Every vault, wall and floor is bristling with calcite, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, pillars and eccentrics. All types of concretions can be found in this privileged universe.
Cave art is also well represented. The prehistoric section is adorned with paintings created over 19,000 years ago. Some, like the horse rotunda, are covered with a thin film of calcite, giving them their distinctive blue color. The scene of the "bison and the sorcerer" is one of the rare human representations in prehistoric art.
The Prehistoric Garden
The visit continues outside in the Cro Magnon garden. This vast play and educational park enables the whole family to learn more about Cro Magnon man and his environment (tour lasts around 1 hour).
It's designed to be fun and educational, with quizzes, Cro-Magnon-style photo hats, botanical panels, reconstructions of campsites and prehistoric animals... The whole family can learn more about our ancestors at their own pace.
Free game booklet for children
Prehistoric painting and thruster shooting activities
Wednesdays during the Easter and All Saints' vacations from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Monday and Friday afternoons from July 06 to August 30, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For other dates, visit our website
Visiting conditions
Filming and photography are prohibited in the cave.
Guided tour of the cave: 45 minutes.
20-minute video on the formation of the cave, prehistory and scientific research.
Temperature in the cave 13°. (Bring warm clothing)
Tourisme et handicap auditif et mental label. Not accessible to wheelchair users.
Dogs not allowed (only small dogs that can be carried are accepted).
The discovery trail is accessible until the departure time of the last tour.
Cave of Villars was last modified: November 16th, 2021 by cave of villars
