cigalechanta

bon_voyage, the small packets as well as the small round tins of the walnut oil
make nice littl gifts.

bon_voyage

Cigalechanta, those sound like the perfect item for friends who cook. Paule, thanks so much for your comments. I found an email address for Font-de-Gaume on the web (via the leseyzies.com/grottes-ornées site) and wrote to them several days ago but have heard nothing back. How did you get your tickets?

progol

Dear Bonvoyage,

I'm sending you the link to my discussion a couple of years ago -- sorry, with my mac computer, I don't know how to make it an active link.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

If that doesn't work, do a search on "font de gaume", and you'll see many discussions; mine is titled "Caves in the Dordogne". I was there in July 2004, and made my reservations by phone in May. It wasn't a problem to call, and language really wasn't an issue. They took my reservation and did not need any credit card information. I worried about it, but it was fine. Things may've changed in 2 years, but who knows?

It is different for Lascaux II. There, the reservations were made by email. I don't remember now whether or not I used a credit card number, but it wasn't a problem, either.

When are you going?
Paule

StCirq

Here's a site explaining how to make reservations at all the prehistoric sites in the Périgord:

http://www.arachnis.asso.fr/DORDOGNE...S/msngrot0.htm

Even if you ask for an English-language tour at Font-de-Gaume you may not get one, especially in the off season (don't know when you're going). Call them. The number of people admitted every day is very limited and depending on what time of year you're visiting you may need to reserve a couple of months ahead of time. It's worth it.

bon_voyage

I found the thread--thank you! Lots of useful information. I take it that they don't take credit card information, and you don't get written confirmation following the phone call to Font-de-Gaume. We're be in the Dordogne in early September 2006.

crepes_a_go_go

marking for my future reference

bon_voyage

Thanks, St. Cirq, just saw your post. Font-de-Gaume is at the top of my list of places to see.