Saying Hi to the Flintstone Clan

Saying Hi to the Flintstone Clan

Perhaps the most famous cultural sights in the Dordogne are the prehistoric caves and grottos, such as Lascaux II, Grotte du Pech-Merle, the Domme grottoes, and Grotte du Grand-Roc.

Lascaux can take up to 2,000 people a day, but others—such as the Grotte des Combarelles in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac—only take six people on a tour at any given time (guaranteeing an intimate look).

Either because demand far outstrips supply, or because tickets are so limited, it's recommended you call or e-mail to prebook tickets.

For places like Lascaux, book as far in advance as possible (up to a year); for less popular sights, a couple of days ahead of time should do, or you can sign up for a tour as early in the morning as possible.

The main tourist offices in the region, such as the one at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, have the lowdown on all the caves and prehistoric sights in the area.

If you were not able to call ahead for tickets, it's worth stopping by the cave of your choice even if the office says tickets are sold out—space often opens up.

Be forewarned: you might get signed onto a tour that starts in a couple of hours, leaving you with time to kill, so have a game plan handy for other places to visit nearby.