Pyrenees Rock Art

The day begins with a drive out to the Parc de la Préhistoire. Primarily important for its facsimiles of the main decorated chamber of Niaux, it shows the figures as they would have originally looked. Here, we also find representations of parts of the cave that are not accessible to the public. Later, we visit the Grotte de Bédeilhac. Its massive cave mouth is large enough to land an airplane, as actually occurred back in 1972. Occupation here dates back at least 15,000 years, with a variety of intriguing pieces of cave art, drawings, engravings and even clay mouldings among the striking rock formations.

This morning we drive out to the Grottes de Gargas, where we find cave art consisting of two different elements – both created in the Upper Paleolithic period of approximately 25,000 BC. One is a collection of animal engravings and paintings, including fine depictions of horses, ibex and mammoths. The other is a dazzling group of some two-hundred hands stenciled in black, red, brown, ochre and white. We enjoy an afternoon visit to the rich Roman site of Lugdunum Convenarum, at the foot of the medieval walled town of St. Bertrand de Comminges. While we're here, we also visit the great church of St Bertrand, with its fine cloister and stunning woodwork, and the beautiful Basilique de St Just.

Today we visit the cave of La Vache, situated directly opposite that of Niaux, but much lower in the valley. This cave served as a living area for prehistoric people over several centuries and, although undecorated, it shows living floors and hearths. Weapons and tools in bone, flint and antler were found with an astonishing array of animals portrayed on them. Images included wolves, lions, fish and - most unusually - humans. Fully prepared with this new-found insight, we go on to view the famous Niaux Cave itself. Here we find one of the greatest and most powerful collections of Ice Age drawings that can still be visited, primarily the world-renowned Salon Noir or “Black Hall” with its astounding acoustics. A sensational site, and one not to be missed.

Our explorations today begin at the huge cave site of Mas d'Azil. Characterized by colorfully decorated pebbles and finely carved bone harpoons, this cave has been used as a refuge for millennia. The earliest evidence of human occupation dates back to a phenomenal 30,000 years. The site's accompanying museum showcases a fine collection of portable art along with other materials that demonstrate the cave's rich levels of past occupation. This is a truly unique place to visit and we ensure that ample time is spent here in order to truly appreciate the finds. Our afternoon will be spent at leisure exploring this fascinating area. Before the day draws to a close we enjoy a convivial farewell dinner with the group – the perfect way to celebrate our adventures.

After breakfast, our tour ends and we make our independent onward journeys.