We will have about 10-12 days.<BR>We are interested in visiting cave paintings in France and would like to know what places would you recommend as a base and what other activities and places we should considered when in the area? Bexides the caves we are interested in other historical sites, museums, vistas, outdoor activities such as walking and hiking, also visiting small villages that are not on popular tourists routes. <BR>Any small hotels or inns to stay in that you would recommend?

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The cave paintings, with a few exceptions, are in the P&eacute;rigord Noir region of the southwest of France. To plan a trip based on them, you would want to find lodgings within about a 30-mile radius of Sarlat. There are dozens of prehistoric sites in this region - not all of them featuring cave *paintings*, but also engravings and sculptures and shelters and other things of interest. For paintings, you will definitely want to visit the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarelles in Les Eyzies as well as Lascaux II, which is a replica of the original. <BR>Besides prehistory, the area has a wealth of other things to do and see - Hundred Years War castles, bastide towns, museums devoted to medieval warfare, walnut mills, aquariums, film festivals in summer, musical concerts, antique fairs, plus a host of recreational activities like canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and speleology. And as the scenery is so compelling, just driving around on the back roads is an adventure in itself.<BR><BR>Not to mention it is arguably the, gastronomic capital of France. Think foie gras, confit de canard, truffles......<BR><BR>If you want specific recommendations for accommodations or restaurants, or more detailed information on local sites, I'd be happy to help.

If you do a search on this site for &quot;Cave paintings&quot;, I'm sure you'll come up with lots of information. A while back there was a wonderful thread on this very topic.

A couple of years ago we camped at Les Eyzies. We came across a small sign indicating cave paintings etc. Following these signs, we ended up at the front of a cave, which had been extended so a guy could live in the cave. He gave personal tours of his cave pointing out the paintings. I wish I could be of more help where this was, but we found more by luck than anything.<BR><BR>There are several big caves that have large groups being taken around, this was good as it was just us.<BR>

A couple of years ago we camped at Les Eyzies. We came across a small sign indicating cave paintings etc. Following these signs, we ended up at the front of a cave, which had been extended so a guy could live in the cave. He gave personal tours of his cave pointing out the paintings. I wish I could be of more help where this was, but we found more by luck than anything.<BR><BR>There are several big caves that have large groups being taken around, this was good as it was just us.<BR><BR>There was a nice hotel in Les Eyzies that we had dinner at, I think it was this one - http://www.leseyzies.com/centenaire/index.htm<BR><BR>Otherwise, look here - http://www.leseyzies.com/fr/hebergt.htm

I keep hoping for some up-to-date personal experience on chateau de Mercues - - which looks like a great place to stay, as part of a trip to the Perigord/Dordogne region.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

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Another region with cave drawings is Ari&egrave;ge, in the Pyrenees.<BR>http://www.ariege.com/what_to_do/cas...ves/index.html