Dordogne's Paleolithic Art: A Private Day Trip from Sarlat
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the National PreHistory Museum
- Visit the Lascaux IV art complex
- Discover ancient rock art sites
- Learn about Paleolithic cultures
- Step back in time with expert guides
Full description
Explore the prehistoric heart of the Dordogne Valley on a private day trip from Sarlat that links three major sites in a single, seamless day. Start at the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies, where exceptional artifacts and human remains reveal 400,000 years of life in the Vézère “Valley of Mankind.” Continue to La Roque Saint‑Christophe, a monumental cliff carved into troglodyte terraces and a rock‑fortress high above the river, with reconstructions that show how people lived and defended this natural stronghold over the centuries.
In the afternoon, step into Lascaux IV – International Centre for Cave Art, a state‑of‑the‑art replica of the original cave, often called the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory,” where immersive lighting and guides bring more than 600 Paleolithic paintings and engravings to life.
Private Prehistory Day from Sarlat
Discover the ancient artistry of the Dordogne Valley on a private day trip from Sarlat designed for history and culture enthusiasts. Travelling in a comfortable, air‑conditioned Mercedes minivan with hotel pickup included, you’ll enjoy a full day of discovery in a small group of up to eight guests.
National Prehistory Museum – Les Eyzies
Begin at the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies, where exceptional tools, artworks and human remains trace hundreds of thousands of years of human presence in the Vézère Valley. Your guide helps you decode the exhibits so you can see how early humans lived, hunted and created the first known symbols and ornaments.
La Roque Saint‑Christophe – Troglodyte Cliff City
Continue to La Roque Saint‑Christophe, a monumental 1‑kilometre limestone cliff transformed over millennia into troglodyte dwellings, defensive terraces and a rock fortress high above the Vézère River. Walking along its aerial platforms and reconstructed structures, you’ll understand how prehistoric and medieval communities adapted this natural stronghold to daily life and protection.
Lascaux IV – “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”
In the afternoon, step inside Lascaux IV – International Centre for Cave Art, a cutting‑edge replica that faithfully recreates the original Lascaux cave and its 20,000‑year‑old paintings. Immersive lighting, multimedia and your guide’s commentary bring more than 600 images of horses, bulls and deer to life, revealing why Lascaux is often called the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory.”
Small Group Experience & Practical Info
With a maximum of eight participants, this tour offers an intimate atmosphere and plenty of time for questions, making it ideal for those who want to deepen their understanding of Paleolithic art and daily life. The tour operates in English and requires a minimum of two participants
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pick up or drop off.
- Travel in air conditioned Mercedes minivan.
- Small Group private tour of maximum 8 passengers.
- English speaking in-house licensed guide, Expert in Prehistory.
- Entrance tickets to museum, Lascaux & La Roque Saint Chiristophe
- Meals and drinks (lunch).
- Personal travel insurance and expenses.
- Gratuities for the driver/guide.
Itinerary
Pickup in Sarlat
Meet your guide at your accommodation in Sarlat and settle into a comfortable, air‑conditioned minivan for the day’s journey through the Dordogne Valley.
Drive to Les Eyzies
Important information
Know before you book
- Private tour with a maximum of eight participants.
- Requires a minimum of two adults to operate.
- Tour is conducted in English only, other language on request
- Entrance times for sites are prebooked and may be fixed in high season.
Know before you go
- Cave and replica temperatures are cool, around 13°C (55°F), year-round.
- Wear warm layers and comfortable closed walking shoes.
- Surfaces can be damp or uneven in and around the sites.
- Large bags, food and drink are not permitted inside Lascaux IV.
- Photography is generally restricted or forbidden in cave areas.
Health & restrictions
Age, Height, Weight
- Minimum age: 4
Dress code
It is cold in the caves (13°C / 56°F), warm clothing is strongly recommended.
Cancellation policy
Operator strictly adheres to its cancellation policy and will make no exceptions to the policy. If Guest chooses to cancel his or her reservation, Operator must receive written notice of said cancellation in writing via certified mail, fax or e-mail sent to info@ophorus.com (with confirmation of receipt from Operator), and Guest shall be subject to the following cancellation fee schedule: Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. 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
Reviews
We loved visiting the beautiful Dordogne area with our knowledgeable guide. There were no crowds and wonderful photo opportunities. Thank you!
Magali is an excellent tour story teller. We enjoyed a private tour exploring the amazing landscape of Normandy for half a day. Her in-depth knowledge made the experience even more beneficial and meaningful. Coming from America we learned so many things about World War II and specifically the Normandy invasion. It was a rainy day, but the ground we covered was significant. Was it over four hours? Was it over four hours?
The tour was packed full of stops. Our guide did a good job of walking us through the highlights of the museum. I would have liked some time to view the mini videos, they were well done. I mostly enjoyed La Roque de St Christophe. Steep climbs but so worth it. I also was pleased that our driver took us to the original Lascaux cave discovery. We couldn’t get in but it set us up for touring Lascaux 111. Our Doucet at the site spoke very quickly and appeared very scripted. I enjoyed the tour through the reproduced caves. The technology in the exploration section was disappointing and the film needs some work to make it more informative . A good day. Thank you.
Additional information
This small-group experience is best for curious travelers who love history, archaeology and art, and who want a deeper, story-driven introduction to Paleolithic life rather than a quick photo stop. It also suits adults, solo travelers and couples who appreciate expert guiding, comfortable transport and a relaxed pace, and older children or teens who already have an interest in prehistory.