Six prehistoric sites in France to visit

Long before the Gauls, the Franks or the Romans, prehistoric groups of people were creating paintings, stone circles and burial mounds in the land that is now France.
Several of these sites survive and have been meticulously preserved and opened up to visitors. Here's our pick of some of the most fascinating prehistoric sites in France.
The Carnac stones
Located in western France in Brittany, the Carnac Stones are one of Europe's most important ancient sites. They are a collection of thousands of ancient stones, spread over 27 communes. You might recognise these “menhirs” – single standing stones – as the giant rocks carried by Obelix, in the classic “Asterix & Obelix” French comic series.
Recently these stones made the front pages in France when 39 were reportedly destroyed to make way for the construction of a DIY store.
READ MORE: Prehistoric standing stones in western France destroyed during construction of DIY store
Believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period, some stones are thousands of years old, having been placed there as early as 4,000 BC.
There is still a lot of mystery surrounding why the stones were placed there and what purpose they served. One local legend says that they are the remains of a Roman army that was turned into rock. Others believe that the site is a 'megalithic yard' - or an ancient unit of measurement.
You can visit the stones for free from October to March, but between April and September, you must go via paid tour guide. With several hiking trails around the site, there are plenty of paths to explore. Tours are also available in English, German and Spanish.
There is also a nearby museum about the site called the “Maison des Megaliths“, which is open and accessible year round. You can find more information about planning your trip to see the stones here.
1/3 Carnac Stones, France. A dense collection of over 3000 standing stones can be found around the French Village of Carnac. The Carnac Stones, which were erected 4500-3300 BC, are the largest of such collection in the world. There are several theories as to the purpose of stones pic.twitter.com/OmHIRpoDu8
— Prehistoric Mojo (@PrehistoricMojo) March 19, 2018
The caves in Lascaux
In the Vézère valley in Dordogne, there are more than 100 prehistoric sites and over two dozen decorated caves dating back to the Palaeolithic period. The most famous is the "Lascaux Cave" - a UNESCO recognised site. It was discovered in 1940 and paved the way for a much greater appreciation of prehistoric art, featuring detailed and colourful hunting scenes.
Much of the prehistoric art found in the caves in this valley is thought to be up to 20,000 years old.
Unfortunately, visitors are no longer allowed to enter the Lascaux Caves, as scientists came to the conclusion that tourism could harm the art. Instead, you can visit a detailed reconstruction of the caves, the Lascaux IV, which was recently completed.
There are plenty of other prehistoric sites nearby in Dordogne, including the "Grotte de Rouffignac", another cave, but one where visitors can view the sites from inside an electric train.
You can find more information about visiting these sites HERE.
Frieze of the Small Horses, Axial Gallery, Lascaux cave. c. 15.500 BC. Lascaux is often called the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory because of its richness of pictures. There are more than 600 paintings –mostly of animals -on the cave's interior walls in impressive compositions. pic.twitter.com/9jpWPnMqof
— Archaeology & Art (@archaeologyart) July 4, 2022
The caves in Ardèche
In southern France, just north of Avignon, lies the "Grotte Chauvet" - another UNESCO World Heritage site.
These caves contain some of the earliest known "figurative drawings" in the world, likely dating all the way back to the Aurignacian period (30,000–32,000 BC), according to UNESCO.
Discovered in 1994, the cave had managed to remain untouched for thousands of years. The paintings show plenty of different animal species, including extinct ones like mammoth.
Like the caves in the Vézère valley, the Grotte Chauvet is not accessible to the public, but there is an impressive reconstruction available for visit called the "Grotte Chauvet 2". You can find ticketing information here.
Chauvet Cave in the Ardèche was discovered in 1994. It contains more than sixty images of the extinct woolly rhinoceros. The #IceAgeArt at Chauvet is over 30,000 years old. pic.twitter.com/mtAedGpdD0
— Prof Jamie Woodward (@Jamie_Woodward_) June 25, 2021
Cairn de Barnenez
Also found in Brittany like the Carnac stones - though this time in the Finistère area - the Cairn de Barnenez is an ancient structure likely dating back to 4,800 BC, and a lesser known monument in France. It is recognised as "the largest megalithic mausoleum" in Europe.
The Cairn de Barnanez is 72m long and currently measures six metres in height, though experts believe it once was eight to nine metres tall.
It contains 11 chambers, with at least four types of granite having been used in its construction. Older than the pyramids of Giza, archaeologists were able to discover several tools from the Bronze Age inside, and some have been put on display at the visitor's centre (which is worth the visit too).
Tickets are €6, and you can find more information about planning your trip here.
Timeless Beauty at Cairn de Barnenez – The Prehistoric Parthenon https://t.co/i7igfsdzaU pic.twitter.com/RermwovZ1e
— Cult of Amon Ra (@Cultofamonra) February 1, 2023
The Niaux caves (and Grand Sites of Ariège)
If you want to be able to visit prehistoric caves and caverns in person, then you might consider the Niaux caves near the Pyrenees mountains. Many are still open to the public, so you can go in person to see the original paintings of bison, horses and deer that date back 13,000 years.
In order to visit the caves, you'll need to make an appointment for a guided tour in advance. They typically last about one hour and 45 minutes.
These caves are part of the "Grand Sites of Ariège", which also includes a great spot for families with kids, the 'prehistoric park' where you can enjoy workshops on how prehistoric people hunted, carved flint and lit fires. Both kids and adults can learn about archaeology, view films, and experience intricate reproductions of existing caves.
You can find more information about visiting HERE.
Visited the wonderful #prehistoric Niaux Caves today while hiking through the Pyrenees. #France #art pic.twitter.com/APJENKubCf
— Jessica Wiseman (@XJWiseman) July 31, 2017
The Gallardet Dolmen
Located in the Hérault département in the south of France, near the village of Le Pouget, this is a prehistoric site that dates back to between 2,800BC to 3,500BC.
Large in size, the dolmen contains a 12 metre long corridor inside that was used as a burial site. The dolmen likely held an important religious or spiritual function at its time of construction.
The site is easily accessible from the nearby village, with several walking paths that will take you directly to it.
Gallardet dolmen
The Gallardet Dolmen (also known as Dolmen du Pouget) is located in the Hérault department in southern France.#Paganism #EuropeanPaganism #PaganismeEuropéen
Read more at https://t.co/nwYLHWAGh7 pic.twitter.com/io9WZqzt2j
— Pagan Places (@PaganPlaces) September 30, 2020
Finally, if you want to explore more of France's prehistory, you can plan a visit to the National Museum of Prehistory. It is located near the sites at the Vézère Valley, in the village of Les Eyzies. More information here.
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Several of these sites survive and have been meticulously preserved and opened up to visitors. Here's our pick of some of the most fascinating prehistoric sites in France.
The Carnac stones
Located in western France in Brittany, the Carnac Stones are one of Europe's most important ancient sites. They are a collection of thousands of ancient stones, spread over 27 communes. You might recognise these “menhirs” – single standing stones – as the giant rocks carried by Obelix, in the classic “Asterix & Obelix” French comic series.
Recently these stones made the front pages in France when 39 were reportedly destroyed to make way for the construction of a DIY store.
READ MORE: Prehistoric standing stones in western France destroyed during construction of DIY store
Believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period, some stones are thousands of years old, having been placed there as early as 4,000 BC.
There is still a lot of mystery surrounding why the stones were placed there and what purpose they served. One local legend says that they are the remains of a Roman army that was turned into rock. Others believe that the site is a 'megalithic yard' - or an ancient unit of measurement.
You can visit the stones for free from October to March, but between April and September, you must go via paid tour guide. With several hiking trails around the site, there are plenty of paths to explore. Tours are also available in English, German and Spanish.
There is also a nearby museum about the site called the “Maison des Megaliths“, which is open and accessible year round. You can find more information about planning your trip to see the stones here.
1/3 Carnac Stones, France. A dense collection of over 3000 standing stones can be found around the French Village of Carnac. The Carnac Stones, which were erected 4500-3300 BC, are the largest of such collection in the world. There are several theories as to the purpose of stones pic.twitter.com/OmHIRpoDu8
— Prehistoric Mojo (@PrehistoricMojo) March 19, 2018
The caves in Lascaux
In the Vézère valley in Dordogne, there are more than 100 prehistoric sites and over two dozen decorated caves dating back to the Palaeolithic period. The most famous is the "Lascaux Cave" - a UNESCO recognised site. It was discovered in 1940 and paved the way for a much greater appreciation of prehistoric art, featuring detailed and colourful hunting scenes.
Much of the prehistoric art found in the caves in this valley is thought to be up to 20,000 years old.
Unfortunately, visitors are no longer allowed to enter the Lascaux Caves, as scientists came to the conclusion that tourism could harm the art. Instead, you can visit a detailed reconstruction of the caves, the Lascaux IV, which was recently completed.
There are plenty of other prehistoric sites nearby in Dordogne, including the "Grotte de Rouffignac", another cave, but one where visitors can view the sites from inside an electric train.
You can find more information about visiting these sites HERE.
Frieze of the Small Horses, Axial Gallery, Lascaux cave. c. 15.500 BC. Lascaux is often called the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory because of its richness of pictures. There are more than 600 paintings –mostly of animals -on the cave's interior walls in impressive compositions. pic.twitter.com/9jpWPnMqof
— Archaeology & Art (@archaeologyart) July 4, 2022
The caves in Ardèche
In southern France, just north of Avignon, lies the "Grotte Chauvet" - another UNESCO World Heritage site.
These caves contain some of the earliest known "figurative drawings" in the world, likely dating all the way back to the Aurignacian period (30,000–32,000 BC), according to UNESCO.
Discovered in 1994, the cave had managed to remain untouched for thousands of years. The paintings show plenty of different animal species, including extinct ones like mammoth.
Like the caves in the Vézère valley, the Grotte Chauvet is not accessible to the public, but there is an impressive reconstruction available for visit called the "Grotte Chauvet 2". You can find ticketing information here.
Chauvet Cave in the Ardèche was discovered in 1994. It contains more than sixty images of the extinct woolly rhinoceros. The #IceAgeArt at Chauvet is over 30,000 years old. pic.twitter.com/mtAedGpdD0
— Prof Jamie Woodward (@Jamie_Woodward_) June 25, 2021
Cairn de Barnenez
Also found in Brittany like the Carnac stones - though this time in the Finistère area - the Cairn de Barnenez is an ancient structure likely dating back to 4,800 BC, and a lesser known monument in France. It is recognised as "the largest megalithic mausoleum" in Europe.
The Cairn de Barnanez is 72m long and currently measures six metres in height, though experts believe it once was eight to nine metres tall.
It contains 11 chambers, with at least four types of granite having been used in its construction. Older than the pyramids of Giza, archaeologists were able to discover several tools from the Bronze Age inside, and some have been put on display at the visitor's centre (which is worth the visit too).
Tickets are €6, and you can find more information about planning your trip here.
Timeless Beauty at Cairn de Barnenez – The Prehistoric Parthenon https://t.co/i7igfsdzaU pic.twitter.com/RermwovZ1e
— Cult of Amon Ra (@Cultofamonra) February 1, 2023
The Niaux caves (and Grand Sites of Ariège)
If you want to be able to visit prehistoric caves and caverns in person, then you might consider the Niaux caves near the Pyrenees mountains. Many are still open to the public, so you can go in person to see the original paintings of bison, horses and deer that date back 13,000 years.
In order to visit the caves, you'll need to make an appointment for a guided tour in advance. They typically last about one hour and 45 minutes.
These caves are part of the "Grand Sites of Ariège", which also includes a great spot for families with kids, the 'prehistoric park' where you can enjoy workshops on how prehistoric people hunted, carved flint and lit fires. Both kids and adults can learn about archaeology, view films, and experience intricate reproductions of existing caves.
You can find more information about visiting HERE.
Visited the wonderful #prehistoric Niaux Caves today while hiking through the Pyrenees. #France #art pic.twitter.com/APJENKubCf
— Jessica Wiseman (@XJWiseman) July 31, 2017
The Gallardet Dolmen
Located in the Hérault département in the south of France, near the village of Le Pouget, this is a prehistoric site that dates back to between 2,800BC to 3,500BC.
Large in size, the dolmen contains a 12 metre long corridor inside that was used as a burial site. The dolmen likely held an important religious or spiritual function at its time of construction.
The site is easily accessible from the nearby village, with several walking paths that will take you directly to it.
Gallardet dolmen
— Pagan Places (@PaganPlaces) September 30, 2020
The Gallardet Dolmen (also known as Dolmen du Pouget) is located in the Hérault department in southern France.#Paganism #EuropeanPaganism #PaganismeEuropéen
Read more at https://t.co/nwYLHWAGh7 pic.twitter.com/io9WZqzt2j
Finally, if you want to explore more of France's prehistory, you can plan a visit to the National Museum of Prehistory. It is located near the sites at the Vézère Valley, in the village of Les Eyzies. More information here.
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