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Lascaux II Caves at Montignac
These internationally renowned caves are situated about 30km north of Sarlat. Lascaux II is a copy of the majority of the famous prehistoric paintings contained in the original Lascaux caves, 200 metres from Lascaux II. The replica paintings have been made using the same materials and techniques as were used for the original paintings, 19,000 years ago.
Lascaux I caves were discovered, famously, by a group of teenagers looking for their dog, in 1940. After the end of WWII the caves were opened to the public, but were closed in 1963 due to the paintings being damaged by the breath of thousands of visitors.
The prehistoric paintings at Lascaux are probably the most highly renowned cave paintings in the world. The copy was made because the original prehistoric paintings were being destroyed by the breath from thousands of visitors. The paintings have been copied in great detail, using original materials and colours. If you hadn't been told, it is unlikely that you would know you are looking at copies.
The cave paintings are mostly pictures of large animals, and include the 'auroch' - a now extinct early relative of the ox (it is thought that the Auroch was worshiped as a sacred beast in prehistoric times).
