MaineGG

We got up very early and went to the cave this morning, arriving around 8:15. The ticket office opens at 9:30. When we arrived, there were about 25 people in line. By 8:45, there were many more, probably around 50-60. They only admit 80 people a day. If you're serious about getting tickets, be there early. Today there was only one tour in English at 11:00, and there are only 12 people per tour. We actually did the 10:00 tour in French and it was excellent with a wonderful guide, so I don't know about the English tour. It is a 400 meter hike straight up hill to the cave entrance.

All the way over to Les Eyzies, I was mentally preparing to deal with the disappointment of not getting tickets, so I was truly thrilled that we did. It was a wonderful experience to see the art from 14,000 years ago. Hope many more people can see it before they close this cave, which is a real possibility.

StCirq

Lucky you! We tried three times to get in in September, but even getting there early we didn't make it. I've been many times, so it wasn't a terrible disappointment, but my SO was really discouraged. Good thing is, we can always just walk down the lane and get into the Grotte du Sorcier!

They've been talking about closing down Font-de-Gaume for 20 years, and cutting back periodically on the number of people admitted per day, so yes, it will come as no surprise when it's simply not open at all. Sad, as it's such a treasure.

MaineGG

StCirq, my back-up plan was to go to the Grotte du Sorcier if we couldn't get into Font-de-Gaume. Of course I learned about that cave from your posts here. I told my husband that we would definitely see some original cave art somehow. You also suggested this would be a good time to visit here and you were so right. Lots of things blooming (wisteria, trees, colza fields) and new green leaves on trees, plus very light traffic everywhere. We drove one of the back roads from St.-Crépin to Les Eyzies Friday and didn't meet one car for miles.

welltraveledbrit

Thanks for the post we're so looking forward to our time in the Dordogne.

StCirq

MaineGG, did you happen to notice what the current deal is about getting into Les Combarelles (the cave right down the road, maybe 100 meters from Font-de-Gaume)? I didn't check on that when I was last there (I guess I could google it). You used to be able to get tickets for both Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarelles at Font-de-Gaume, but perhaps they're separate entities now.

MaineGG

They do sell tickets for Les Combarelles at Font-de-Gaume, and they are limited also - 66 people/day - 6 people/tour. They also do tickets for the Abri de Cap Blanc - 400 people/day.

StCirq

Thanks!

MaineGG

Just wanted to post an update about Font de Gaume reservations.
Thanks to another poster, francebound, I have learned that for 2014 they are taking reservations again. More info here (in French only):

http://eyzies.monuments-nationaux.fr/fr/

If you don't read French, it says that there are 12 tickets for each of two times per day, different times for low and high seasons. You must make reservations by email at [email protected] or by telephone between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. at 05.53.06.86.00

So once again it's possible to reserve a time. Good news.

rosemaryoz

Last Sept we hired Christine Desdemaines-Hugon to be our cave guide for the day. She is a qualified archeologist, and has been offering customised tours for decades. We saw three caves on the day, including Font de Gaume, and her extensive knowledge and ability to contextualise the art really brought it to life for us. She also queued for the tickets on our behalf, which made it very straightforward for us. If you go as a small group, I would recommend hiring Christine. Her fees for a whole day's exploration are well worth it. We learnt so much more this way, much more than if we'd just tried to do it ourselves. Her website is www.caveconnection.fr