Caves near Sarlat
Aug 9th, 2011, 02:17 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Caves near Sarlat
Will be in the Sarlat area in September. Want to see a couple of pre-historic caves. Don't plan on going to more than 2 or 3. Which are really worthwhile? Is Lascaux II worth it even though it is a copy?
Aug 9th, 2011, 02:37 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Font-de-Gaume and Combarelles are in Les Eyzies, 25 kms from Sarlat. There are also Rouffignac, Bara-Bahau, the Grotte de St-Cirq (also known as the Grotte du Sorcier), and a handful of others. I think Font-de-Gaume is probably the best of that lot, assuming you are more interested in chromatic paintings than in engravings.
I can't speak to whether Lascaux would be "worth it" to you; I have always found it fascinating because in recreating it scientists and artists had to know so much about how the original artists accomplished their work.
In addition to caves, there are all kinds of other prehistoric sites in the area: abris, sculptures, sites where Magdalenian man actually dwelt, etc.
I can't speak to whether Lascaux would be "worth it" to you; I have always found it fascinating because in recreating it scientists and artists had to know so much about how the original artists accomplished their work.
In addition to caves, there are all kinds of other prehistoric sites in the area: abris, sculptures, sites where Magdalenian man actually dwelt, etc.
Aug 9th, 2011, 07:05 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is extraordinary craftsmanship at Lascaux II.
I agree with StCirq. At these caves you are looking at people who communicating with you 15,000 years later. They are surprsing skillful and are telling you what was important to them. The colors, the images, and the sense of place make it a very human experience.
I agree with StCirq. At these caves you are looking at people who communicating with you 15,000 years later. They are surprsing skillful and are telling you what was important to them. The colors, the images, and the sense of place make it a very human experience.
Aug 9th, 2011, 08:33 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, St. Cirq and Aduchamp, my husband floored me by telling me the same thing during our Dordogne visit. He liked the caves okay, but was more interested in the structural cave formations than the prehistoric art. Go figure. Apparently, his strong interest in history doesn't kick in until the Greeks.
I don't give a rat's a___, I'm still going to see the cave art again when we go back and Combarelles and Grotte du Sorcier are next on my list. (My son and I really liked Font-de-Gaume.)
I don't give a rat's a___, I'm still going to see the cave art again when we go back and Combarelles and Grotte du Sorcier are next on my list. (My son and I really liked Font-de-Gaume.)
Aug 10th, 2011, 12:35 AM
#7
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We all have our avocations. I, for one, have no particular interest in battlefields or the strategies of war. I appreciate how the changed history, but yet, they hold no fascination. But I was taken with the streaks of tar frozen in time that were once poured on invading enemies outside the cave dwellings in Les Eyzies
Aug 10th, 2011, 02:38 AM
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I liked Combarelles and Font de Gaume a lot, the former perhaps better because we were the only people there.
English may not be spoken, whatever you read, but the experience is wonderful even without it.
English may not be spoken, whatever you read, but the experience is wonderful even without it.
Aug 11th, 2011, 11:14 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My vote is Pech Merle and Font de gaume. Both good cave experiences and good art. Comberelles is difficult for some. I loved Lascaux but its very rushed and not a cave experience-more of an art and history experience.
