One of the best caves with authentic stone age paintings is Pech Merle across from St. Cirq la Popie, a wonderfully quaint village on a bluff. If anyone is going there, I have a favor to ask: would you please look for a section of cave wall with three human hands outlined by blowing across a hand with pigment. There is a father, a mother, and a child, and I have been using that image to show that the nuclear family has always been part of human history.The problem is that that image is not to be found in any printed book or postcard, nor did any of the tour guides admit to knowing of that image when I questioned them recently. I know photos are not allowed, but I would appreciate knowing I did not hallucinate and that those hands are indeed there. They are to be found at the end of the tour, just before the huge wall of images (including some hands, but not the family). The wall with my images is just to the left of that large "mural". If you do go, or if you have a remember it, please just post it here on Fodors. Thank you!!

topping in hopes someone will be going this spring or summer. Thanks.

Hi H,

I remember (I think) seeing the three hands when we were there, but I can't testify that they were of a father, mother and child.

This is the cave's website with photographs of all paintings.

http://www.quercy.net/pechmerle/visite_fr.html#14bis

I am not sure if it helps.

Humanone, I plan to visit Peche Merle in June and I'll look for this drawing for you. I pencilled it into my green guide to help me remember.