Dordogne and Lascaux Cave Private Tour from Bordeaux
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the stunning Lascaux IV Cave
- Admire exquisite Paleolithic cave art
- Wander through the picturesque Beynac
- Experience the rich history of the Dordogne
Full description
Experience the wonders of the Dordogne region on a private tour from Bordeaux. You'll journey to the renowned Lascaux IV Cave, where you'll marvel at stunning Paleolithic art that dates back thousands of years. Along the way, take in the picturesque charm of Beynac and La Roque Gageac, while your expert guide shares fascinating stories that bring this ancient landscape to life. This tour offers a comfortable ride in a fully equipped minivan ensuring an enjoyable experience as you explore the heart of French heritage.
Explore the Dordogne Valley's prehistoric heritage and medieval splendor on a private full-day tour from Bordeaux featuring Lascaux IV International Cave Art Center, the culinary capital of Sarlat-la-Canéda, and the cliffside Château de Beynac. Discover breathtaking Paleolithic cave paintings recreated with state-of-the-art technology, stroll through France's best-preserved 14th-century town, and visit one of the Dordogne's most dramatic medieval fortresses overlooking the river valley.
Lascaux IV International Cave Art Center
Begin your journey at Lascaux IV in Montignac, home to a complete, life-size replica of the world-famous Lascaux Cave featuring approximately 600 prehistoric paintings and 1,000 engravings dating back 17,000 years. This Snøhetta-designed museum, listed on Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Places in 2018, recreates every detail of the original cave using advanced 3D scans and physical castings crafted by two dozen specialist artists.
Follow an English-language guided tour through the facsimile cave experiencing masterpieces of Paleolithic art including the Great Hall of Bulls, exactly as they appeared when first discovered in 1940. Interactive galleries, immersive technology, and multimedia exhibits bring the art, history, and culture of our Ice Age ancestors to life with remarkable intelligence and sensitivity, revealing how prehistoric artists created these extraordinary works thousands of years ago.
Sarlat-la-Canéda Medieval Town
Continue to Sarlat-la-Canéda, the gastronomic heart of the Dordogne and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns. Located in the Périgord Noir, Sarlat features an exceptional concentration of 13th-18th century buildings including the Lantern of the Dead, Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral, the beautifully restored Saint Mary Church covered market, and Maison de La Boétie Renaissance mansion. Wander atmospheric cobblestone streets lined with golden stone architecture that has remained largely unchanged since the 14th century.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, your guide introduces you to the famous Sarlat Market showcasing Périgord specialties including foie gras, truffles, duck confit, walnuts, and regional cheeses. Enjoy free time for lunch and personal exploration of this enchanting culinary capital.
Château de Beynac Medieval Fortress
End your day at the spectacular village of Beynac-et-Cazenac, classified among France's Most Beautiful Villages. Perched 150 meters above the Dordogne River on a dramatic limestone cliff, the Château de Beynac dominates the valley with its austere medieval silhouette. Built from the 12th century by the Barons of Beynac (one of Périgord's four great baronies), this strategic fortress features double crenelated walls, double moats carved from natural ravines, and a double barbican protecting the plateau approach. Admire panoramic views of the Dordogne Valley and the picturesque village cascading down the hillside before returning to Bordeaux. This private tour ensures personalized attention from your expert guide throughout the day.
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pick up from Bordeaux or surrounding area.
- Enjoy live commentaries from your expert guide.
- Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.
- Tickets to Lascaux Museum & cave
- Meals and drinks (lunch)
- Personal travel insurance, expenses.
- Gratuities for the Guide
Itinerary
Bordeaux departure
Meet your guide and depart for the Dordogne region of France.
Lascaux IV Centre International de l'Art Pariétal, Montignac-Lascaux, France
Visit Lascaux IV International parietal center
Meeting point
Start Location
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France
Important information
Know before you book
- Minimum 2 adult passengers required for tour to operate
- Full-day tour with approximately 5 hours round-trip driving time
- Lascaux IV entrance and guided cave tour included in English
- Lunch in Sarlat not included; budget €20-40 per person
- Hotel pickup included from Bordeaux and within 30 km (18.6 miles) radius
Know before you go
- Tour duration approximately 10 hours; early morning departure recommended
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for Sarlat cobblestones and Beynac village
- Lascaux IV cave replica maintains cool temperature; bring light jacket
- Sarlat market operates Wednesday and Saturday mornings only
- Tour runs rain or shine; vehicle is climate-controlled
Cancellation policy
There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund. No show - no refund.
Reviews
prachtige belevenis, heel veel gezien. gids valentin was erg deskundig en heel enthousiast
We had such a fantastic day on our wine tour yesterday! 🍷 We were lucky enough to have Carlos as our guide, and he was absolutely brilliant. He was so friendly, knowledgeable and informative, and took us to some amazing spots that we probably wouldn’t have found on our own. He made the whole day so much fun and really brought the experience to life. Couldn’t recommend Carlos and the tour highly enough — such a great day from start to finish! 🍇✨
Francisco was very knowledgeable about the Alsatian wines. He told us a lot about the way wines are produced in this area and provided numerous tastings of various grapes, vintages and levels of dryness. A wonderful 1/2 day tour.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
This private tour from Bordeaux is ideal for couples, families, and history lovers who want to discover the Dordogne in comfort, with visits to the iconic Lascaux Cave and other highlights of the region. It is perfect for travelers looking for a personalized, stress-free, and culturally rich day trip through some of the most beautiful landscapes and heritage sites in southwest France.
