Font-de-Gaume Archaeological Site
Cave shelter containing Paleolithic polychrome paintings
In Dordogne, Font‑de‑Gaume houses polychrome Paleolithic paintings on cave walls accessible by guided tour. Visitors book in advance to see bison and reindeer images, Paleolithic pigments and the site's fragile prehistoric art.
Font-de-Gaume at a Glance#
Address: Font-de-Gaume cave, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Dordogne, Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, France
About Font-de-Gaume#
Font-de-Gaume is a decorated Paleolithic cave near Les Eyzies in the Dordogne department of southwestern France. It is known for its multicolour (polychrome) cave paintings dating to the Upper Paleolithic.
The cave’s principal interest is a series of polychrome animal figures painted on the walls, including bison, horses and other fauna characteristic of Magdalenian-era art. Because of conservation concerns visitor numbers are limited and access is by guided tour only.
The cave was decorated by prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities during the Upper Paleolithic and the paintings are attributed to the Magdalenian cultural phase, around 17,000 years ago. The site has been studied by archaeologists and palaeolithic specialists since its discovery and documentation in the modern period.
Font-de-Gaume lies in the Vézère valley area near Les Eyzies in the Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, a core zone for Paleolithic caves and rock art in France.
- Age of paintings: The cave contains polychrome Paleolithic paintings executed during the Magdalenian period, roughly 17,000 years ago.
- Visitor restrictions: Visits are limited and conducted only with a guide; photography is prohibited inside the cave to protect the art.
What to See#
- Polychrome gallery: Polychrome gallery - contains the cave’s multicolour painted animals, notably bison, horses and deer executed during the Magdalenian period.
How to Get to Font-de-Gaume#
Font-de-Gaume is a prehistoric cave in the Vézère valley near the village of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac (Dordogne). Les Eyzies has a small regional train stop on TER services; from the village the cave is a short drive or a 20-30 minute walk along local roads from the village centre, with parking and footpaths serving the site. Visitors commonly arrive by car from nearby towns or by train to Les Eyzies and then walk or take a short taxi to the cave area.
Tips for Visiting Font-de-Gaume#
- Reserve ahead: Font‑de‑Gaume admits very small numbers by guided tour only, so book your slot as soon as possible-walk-up visits are unlikely.
- Arrive for the earliest tour of the day to avoid the busiest periods and to see the polychrome paintings in the best light before other groups enter.
- Respect site rules: photography and touching the paintings are prohibited; combine the visit with the nearby National Prehistory Museum in Les Eyzies to deepen your understanding of the cave art.
Best Time to Visit Font-de-Gaume#
Best visited in spring or autumn to avoid summer crowds; the cave interior stays cool (~11-13°C) year‑round and daily visitor numbers are limited, so reserve ahead.
Weather & Climate near Font-de-Gaume#
Font-de-Gaume's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (927 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 4° | 83 mm | overcast | 90% | 2.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 5° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 14° | 8° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.6h |
| June | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Excellent | 15° - 26° | 20° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 15° - 26° | 20° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 64% | 2.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 17° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 8° | 91 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 5° | 90 mm | overcast | 90% | 2.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
