April 23, 2025 • 15 mins
In this episode of Global Treasures, we cover the Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley, located in France. This UNESCO world heritage site is known for its prehistoric art. Join us as we discuss the history, travel tips and more.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Imagine a place that tells a storyspanning centuries where culture
and nature intertwine to createsomething truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is Global Treasures,the podcast that covers the history,
(00:21):
travel, tips, and legends surroundingone of the 1,223 World Heritage sites.
Each episode, these places havebeen identified as having universal
cultural, or natural significance thatis so exceptional that it transcends
national boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
(00:45):
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support.
You can continue to support us bysubscribing at Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
(01:07):
Podbean, or any major platform.
You can also follow uson TikTok and Facebook.
I wanna start this episode byacknowledging that I will do my
very best with the pronunciationsas I do in all episodes.
I try to run them by people from culturalcenters or the country of origin.
(01:27):
But otherwise, I'm relyingon assistance from Google and
YouTube, so please be gentle.
I'm not a linguist.
Nestled in the Dordogne Departmentof France, the Vaser Valley holds
a special place in the study ofpaleolithic Art, recognized as a
UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.
(01:49):
This valley is a treasuretrove of archeological wonders.
This area contains over 150known prehistoric sites,
including 25 decorated caves.
Among these 15 sites are officially listedunder the UNESCO designation, primarily
centered around Les Eyzies de Tayac, oftenreferred to as the capital of prehistory.
(02:16):
The valley's significance extends beyondits wealth of prehistoric artifacts.
It's played a key role in shaping ourunderstanding of the Paleolithic era
in general, the famed Cro-Magnon rockshelter, in Les Eyzies provided the
name for early modern humans in Europe,solidifying the region's importance
(02:37):
and paleo anthropology as well.
Paleo anthropology is to study ofhuman evolution conducted by analyzing
skeletal remains and artifacts.
Many of these sites were firstscientifically explored in the
early 20th century by archeologistsHenri Bru and Dennis Peroni.
(02:59):
However, the remarkable Lascauxcave adorned with some of the most
exquisite, prehistoric art everdiscovered wasn't found until 1940
while the original Lascaux cavewas closed to the public in 1963.
Visitors today can exploredetailed 3D replicas nearby.
(03:20):
The reason it was closed was dueto concerns over its preservation.
The paintings in Lascaux are endangeredby algae and mold growing on walls,
as well as artificial lighting used byhumans, which can cause fading over time.
Here are some facts about how they attemptto keep the site safe that I thought
(03:40):
were really interesting and impressive.
Humidity monitoring systemshave been installed and weather
stations actually measure airtemperature and barometric pressure.
If CO2 levels get too high, publicaccess can be restricted until they
fall back to acceptable levels.
Protecting this site is vital.
(04:01):
As the decorated caves of the VaserValley were instrumental in ending
the longstanding debate over theauthenticity of prehistoric art.
See, historically, discoveriesof cave paintings in Spain and
France were met with skepticism.
This is for a few reasons.
(04:21):
One being that it's hard to accuratelydetermine the date of artwork so old
when the sites are often littered withitems from different periods in time.
So isolating the age can be tough.
However, the discovery of lamo and itsdecorations, followed by the stunning
(04:41):
engravings at Font-de-Gaume and LesCombarelles put any doubt to rest.
Among the valley's remarkable sites.
There's a 25,000 year old engraving of afish, the oldest known depiction of its
kind Font-de-Gaume remains the onlypolychrome cave painting site still open
(05:03):
to the public, showcasing animals invivid color, such as bison and horses.
Les Combarelles, with its long,narrow cave features, over
600 prehistoric engravings.
The Lascaux cave, often dubbedthe Sistine Chapel of prehistory,
(05:23):
is closed to the public.
However, visitors can now experiencenear perfect replicas in the form of
Lascaux II and the more recent LascauxIV, which opened in thousand 16.
Other notable caves hold anextensive collection of mammoth,
human engravings, and paintings.
(05:45):
Major finds, like the engraved mammothat La Madeline in 1864 provided the first
definitive proof of coexistence betweenprehistoric humans and extinct animals.
There are also some characteristicsnot created by man that make
this site incredibly unique.
(06:05):
For example.
La Grown Rock is unique amongthe sites listed because while it
lacks prehistoric art, it featuresstunning natural rock formations.
The S Stalagmites form, what Some isdescribed as a crystallized forest.
Beyond caves, the Valley ishome to numerous rock shelters
(06:27):
that provide invaluable insightsinto prehistoric human life.
The Cromagnon rock Shelter, discovered in1868, revealed human remains dating back
to 28,000 years, marking a monumentaldiscovery in the study of early
modern humans and funarary practices.
(06:48):
Areas that have been excavated since1895 even contain evidence of human
habitation stretching back 450,000 years.
The excavations have yielded remarkableartifacts, including the first known
Paleolithic Venus Figurine, which was thefirst depiction of a woman, discovered in
(07:10):
modern day at one of the most exceptionalsites, cop Blanc Archeologists also
discovered the remains of the Magdalenegirl, which is the most intact upper
Paleolithic skeleton in the entirenorthern area of the European continent.
Apre de la Madeline.
(07:31):
Which defined the Magdalenian culture hasyielded extraordinary artifacts as well,
including reindeer, bone carvings, and theremains of a three-year-old child adorned
with over a thousand declarative shells.
The Vaser Valley has beena center of archeological
research since the 19th century.
(07:54):
The first scientific explorations, as Imentioned before, were in the late 1800s.
This set the stage for major discoveries.
The legacy of these discoveriesendures in the National Museum of
Prehistory, which was establishedin 1913 and continues to be a hub
for research and public education.
(08:16):
The discovery of Lascaux in 1940 markedthe culmination of nearly a century of
archeological breakthroughs in the region.
Today, the Vaser Valley remains a vitallink to our distant past, preserving the
artistic and cultural achievements ofearly humans and offering an unparalleled
(08:39):
glimpse into the dawn of civilization.
If you plan on visiting this incrediblesite, here are some things to
know (08:48):
the best airport to fly into.
Either Brief Valet DIAor Berger Dia Airport.
In terms of accommodations, hotels,homestay sites and campgrounds
offer anywhere from high-endexperiences to inexpensive options.
(09:08):
You can check out the links in ourshow notes for help planning your trip.
There are even some really uniqueoptions that I think families would
enjoy, like treehouse accommodations.
So most choose to stay inMontek or Le Zzi, but some do
take a day trip from Bordeaux.
However, that's a pretty long driveand there are only a few tours offered.
(09:33):
I was surprised by that though,given around 250,000 people
visit the site each year.
The best way to arrive is by car.
So you should either rent or you canalways ask for taxi recommendations
from your hotel or home stay host.
I couldn't find any ride shareoptions in the area, and there's
(09:56):
very limited public transportation,which is unusual for Europe.
I have to forewarn that I foundtrying to navigate the websites
and figure out how to get ticketswas a little confusing at first.
Now if you wanna visit Lascaux II andIV, you will wanna pre-order tickets
to ensure you get a tour in English
(10:18):
if French is not your primaryor even secondary language.
The pre-historic sitesare only open at tours.
You can't navigate these independently.
Also, when you're purchasing yourtickets, be sure you read through
all of your options closely becausecertain groups such as seniors can
enter at reduced cost or even free.
(10:40):
However, this site isn't recommendedfor individuals under the age of seven.
The duration in the caves is limited,again, for conservation reasons.
I believe the time limit of thesetours is typically about 30 minutes.
Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarellescaves can be visited if you
purchase your tickets online.
(11:02):
The caves are cold even during thesummer months, so dress accordingly.
There is some walking on inclinesand downhill walking on uneven paths,
so wear your boots or sneakers.
You can, and I would say shouldalso visit the Museum of Prehistory,
which I referenced before.
(11:23):
You can purchase tickets forthe guided tours in advance.
There are group or individualtickets, but they're timed,
so show up a bit earlyfor your scheduled time.
The museum is only closed for twoholidays annually, so you'll have plenty
of dates and times to choose from.
However, the hours do change duringthe less busy season, and the museum
(11:45):
is closed on Tuesdays part of the year.
So double check the websitefor any of those changes.
In terms of what the weather is like,
this area of France experienceswarm summers with winters getting
as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures peak at around the mideighties Fahrenheit in the summer.
(12:07):
June to September will be the bestmonths for you to visit if much of
what you want to do is outdoors.
Other things to do, see andexperience while in the area:
if you're a history buff.
The International Center for Cave Artin Montek will allow you to learn even
more about what you saw in the caves.
(12:29):
And if shopping in local cuisineare enticing, the Lascaux Dordonia
market will be right up your alley.
There are day and even night marketsduring the summer with fresh fruits,
vegetables, and other items to puttogether a picnic or a nice meal.
Just make sure to bring Euros as somevendors may not accept credit cards.
(12:52):
Generally speaking, this is alsoa fantastic area for hiking,
horseback riding, photography,and or forest walking.
If taking the well-defined paths isn'tyour thing, the Dordonia River is
touted as being one of the cleanest,if not the cleanest in France.
(13:12):
So you may wanna visit oneof the beaches in the area.
I referenced the cuisine before, butit's definitely worth a second mention.
You need to experience thefood, especially if you have an
appreciation for the finer tastes.
foie gras has been a delicacysince the 17th century.
(13:34):
Foie gras is goose liver made into aspread, usually with wine and spices.
Served with a crusty bread,though I have been served it
on top of a pasta dish as well.
It's very rich and unlikeanything I've ever tried.
It's hard to describethe flavor or texture.
(13:55):
And then there's caviar.
The caviar from sturgeons, isan upper crust delicacy as well.
Many of the producers of the caviaractually do tours of their facilities
and caviar tastings on site.
They take such pride in the qualityof the food they produce, and I always
say learning about other culturesthrough their food is just another
(14:18):
way of discovering new things wedidn't know we needed in our lives.
Those are the best surprisesthat come with a unique getaway.
Join us for our next episode where we'llexplore the rock drawings in Valcamonica,
Monica, Italy, nestled in one of thelargest valleys of the central Alps.
(14:41):
This site holds the largest collectionof prehistoric petroglyphs in the world.
It is also notably Italy's firstUNESCO World Heritage Site.
Until then, keep exploring,keep wondering, and keep
treasuring the remarkablediversity of our world's heritage
Imagine a place that tells a storyspanning centuries where culture
and nature intertwine to createsomething truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is Global Treasures,the podcast that covers the history,
(00:21):
travel, tips, and legends surroundingone of the 1,223 World Heritage sites.
Each episode, these places havebeen identified as having universal
cultural, or natural significance thatis so exceptional that it transcends
national boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
(00:45):
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support.
You can continue to support us bysubscribing at Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
(01:07):
Podbean, or any major platform.
You can also follow uson TikTok and Facebook.
I wanna start this episode byacknowledging that I will do my
very best with the pronunciationsas I do in all episodes.
I try to run them by people from culturalcenters or the country of origin.
(01:27):
But otherwise, I'm relyingon assistance from Google and
YouTube, so please be gentle.
I'm not a linguist.
Nestled in the Dordogne Departmentof France, the Vaser Valley holds
a special place in the study ofpaleolithic Art, recognized as a
UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.
(01:49):
This valley is a treasuretrove of archeological wonders.
This area contains over 150known prehistoric sites,
including 25 decorated caves.
Among these 15 sites are officially listedunder the UNESCO designation, primarily
centered around Les Eyzies de Tayac, oftenreferred to as the capital of prehistory.
(02:16):
The valley's significance extends beyondits wealth of prehistoric artifacts.
It's played a key role in shaping ourunderstanding of the Paleolithic era
in general, the famed Cro-Magnon rockshelter, in Les Eyzies provided the
name for early modern humans in Europe,solidifying the region's importance
(02:37):
and paleo anthropology as well.
Paleo anthropology is to study ofhuman evolution conducted by analyzing
skeletal remains and artifacts.
Many of these sites were firstscientifically explored in the
early 20th century by archeologistsHenri Bru and Dennis Peroni.
(02:59):
However, the remarkable Lascauxcave adorned with some of the most
exquisite, prehistoric art everdiscovered wasn't found until 1940
while the original Lascaux cavewas closed to the public in 1963.
Visitors today can exploredetailed 3D replicas nearby.
(03:20):
The reason it was closed was dueto concerns over its preservation.
The paintings in Lascaux are endangeredby algae and mold growing on walls,
as well as artificial lighting used byhumans, which can cause fading over time.
Here are some facts about how they attemptto keep the site safe that I thought
(03:40):
were really interesting and impressive.
Humidity monitoring systemshave been installed and weather
stations actually measure airtemperature and barometric pressure.
If CO2 levels get too high, publicaccess can be restricted until they
fall back to acceptable levels.
Protecting this site is vital.
(04:01):
As the decorated caves of the VaserValley were instrumental in ending
the longstanding debate over theauthenticity of prehistoric art.
See, historically, discoveriesof cave paintings in Spain and
France were met with skepticism.
This is for a few reasons.
(04:21):
One being that it's hard to accuratelydetermine the date of artwork so old
when the sites are often littered withitems from different periods in time.
So isolating the age can be tough.
However, the discovery of lamo and itsdecorations, followed by the stunning
(04:41):
engravings at Font-de-Gaume and LesCombarelles put any doubt to rest.
Among the valley's remarkable sites.
There's a 25,000 year old engraving of afish, the oldest known depiction of its
kind Font-de-Gaume remains the onlypolychrome cave painting site still open
(05:03):
to the public, showcasing animals invivid color, such as bison and horses.
Les Combarelles, with its long,narrow cave features, over
600 prehistoric engravings.
The Lascaux cave, often dubbedthe Sistine Chapel of prehistory,
(05:23):
is closed to the public.
However, visitors can now experiencenear perfect replicas in the form of
Lascaux II and the more recent LascauxIV, which opened in thousand 16.
Other notable caves hold anextensive collection of mammoth,
human engravings, and paintings.
(05:45):
Major finds, like the engraved mammothat La Madeline in 1864 provided the first
definitive proof of coexistence betweenprehistoric humans and extinct animals.
There are also some characteristicsnot created by man that make
this site incredibly unique.
(06:05):
For example.
La Grown Rock is unique amongthe sites listed because while it
lacks prehistoric art, it featuresstunning natural rock formations.
The S Stalagmites form, what Some isdescribed as a crystallized forest.
Beyond caves, the Valley ishome to numerous rock shelters
(06:27):
that provide invaluable insightsinto prehistoric human life.
The Cromagnon rock Shelter, discovered in1868, revealed human remains dating back
to 28,000 years, marking a monumentaldiscovery in the study of early
modern humans and funarary practices.
(06:48):
Areas that have been excavated since1895 even contain evidence of human
habitation stretching back 450,000 years.
The excavations have yielded remarkableartifacts, including the first known
Paleolithic Venus Figurine, which was thefirst depiction of a woman, discovered in
(07:10):
modern day at one of the most exceptionalsites, cop Blanc Archeologists also
discovered the remains of the Magdalenegirl, which is the most intact upper
Paleolithic skeleton in the entirenorthern area of the European continent.
Apre de la Madeline.
(07:31):
Which defined the Magdalenian culture hasyielded extraordinary artifacts as well,
including reindeer, bone carvings, and theremains of a three-year-old child adorned
with over a thousand declarative shells.
The Vaser Valley has beena center of archeological
research since the 19th century.
(07:54):
The first scientific explorations, as Imentioned before, were in the late 1800s.
This set the stage for major discoveries.
The legacy of these discoveriesendures in the National Museum of
Prehistory, which was establishedin 1913 and continues to be a hub
for research and public education.
(08:16):
The discovery of Lascaux in 1940 markedthe culmination of nearly a century of
archeological breakthroughs in the region.
Today, the Vaser Valley remains a vitallink to our distant past, preserving the
artistic and cultural achievements ofearly humans and offering an unparalleled
(08:39):
glimpse into the dawn of civilization.
If you plan on visiting this incrediblesite, here are some things to
know (08:48):
the best airport to fly into.
Either Brief Valet DIAor Berger Dia Airport.
In terms of accommodations, hotels,homestay sites and campgrounds
offer anywhere from high-endexperiences to inexpensive options.
(09:08):
You can check out the links in ourshow notes for help planning your trip.
There are even some really uniqueoptions that I think families would
enjoy, like treehouse accommodations.
So most choose to stay inMontek or Le Zzi, but some do
take a day trip from Bordeaux.
However, that's a pretty long driveand there are only a few tours offered.
(09:33):
I was surprised by that though,given around 250,000 people
visit the site each year.
The best way to arrive is by car.
So you should either rent or you canalways ask for taxi recommendations
from your hotel or home stay host.
I couldn't find any ride shareoptions in the area, and there's
(09:56):
very limited public transportation,which is unusual for Europe.
I have to forewarn that I foundtrying to navigate the websites
and figure out how to get ticketswas a little confusing at first.
Now if you wanna visit Lascaux II andIV, you will wanna pre-order tickets
to ensure you get a tour in English
(10:18):
if French is not your primaryor even secondary language.
The pre-historic sitesare only open at tours.
You can't navigate these independently.
Also, when you're purchasing yourtickets, be sure you read through
all of your options closely becausecertain groups such as seniors can
enter at reduced cost or even free.
(10:40):
However, this site isn't recommendedfor individuals under the age of seven.
The duration in the caves is limited,again, for conservation reasons.
I believe the time limit of thesetours is typically about 30 minutes.
Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarellescaves can be visited if you
purchase your tickets online.
(11:02):
The caves are cold even during thesummer months, so dress accordingly.
There is some walking on inclinesand downhill walking on uneven paths,
so wear your boots or sneakers.
You can, and I would say shouldalso visit the Museum of Prehistory,
which I referenced before.
(11:23):
You can purchase tickets forthe guided tours in advance.
There are group or individualtickets, but they're timed,
so show up a bit earlyfor your scheduled time.
The museum is only closed for twoholidays annually, so you'll have plenty
of dates and times to choose from.
However, the hours do change duringthe less busy season, and the museum
(11:45):
is closed on Tuesdays part of the year.
So double check the websitefor any of those changes.
In terms of what the weather is like,
this area of France experienceswarm summers with winters getting
as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures peak at around the mideighties Fahrenheit in the summer.
(12:07):
June to September will be the bestmonths for you to visit if much of
what you want to do is outdoors.
Other things to do, see andexperience while in the area:
if you're a history buff.
The International Center for Cave Artin Montek will allow you to learn even
more about what you saw in the caves.
(12:29):
And if shopping in local cuisineare enticing, the Lascaux Dordonia
market will be right up your alley.
There are day and even night marketsduring the summer with fresh fruits,
vegetables, and other items to puttogether a picnic or a nice meal.
Just make sure to bring Euros as somevendors may not accept credit cards.
(12:52):
Generally speaking, this is alsoa fantastic area for hiking,
horseback riding, photography,and or forest walking.
If taking the well-defined paths isn'tyour thing, the Dordonia River is
touted as being one of the cleanest,if not the cleanest in France.
(13:12):
So you may wanna visit oneof the beaches in the area.
I referenced the cuisine before, butit's definitely worth a second mention.
You need to experience thefood, especially if you have an
appreciation for the finer tastes.
foie gras has been a delicacysince the 17th century.
(13:34):
Foie gras is goose liver made into aspread, usually with wine and spices.
Served with a crusty bread,though I have been served it
on top of a pasta dish as well.
It's very rich and unlikeanything I've ever tried.
It's hard to describethe flavor or texture.
(13:55):
And then there's caviar.
The caviar from sturgeons, isan upper crust delicacy as well.
Many of the producers of the caviaractually do tours of their facilities
and caviar tastings on site.
They take such pride in the qualityof the food they produce, and I always
say learning about other culturesthrough their food is just another
(14:18):
way of discovering new things wedidn't know we needed in our lives.
Those are the best surprisesthat come with a unique getaway.
Join us for our next episode where we'llexplore the rock drawings in Valcamonica,
Monica, Italy, nestled in one of thelargest valleys of the central Alps.
(14:41):
This site holds the largest collectionof prehistoric petroglyphs in the world.
It is also notably Italy's firstUNESCO World Heritage Site.
Until then, keep exploring,keep wondering, and keep
treasuring the remarkablediversity of our world's heritage
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