Skip to main content
SeeProvence

Chauvet Cave - Caverne du Pont d'Arc Gallery, St Marcel d'Ardeche

Discover the famous prehistoric cave paintings at Chauvet Cave

featured in Sights & sites

Finally visitors will be able to experience the cave paintings of the Grotte Chauvet in the state of the art replica that has been created by artists and builders.

In the depths of a cave, the first artists in the history of Humanity painted a masterpiece: horses, lions, rhinos and other animals, captured in action, running, hunting and fighting.



Some 36,000 years later, engineers and artists accomplished a unique feat in the world by reconstructing this original cave, the Pont d’Arc Cavern. In doing so they rendered this extraordinary collection of paintings and engravings visible to all, transmitting the emotions felt by those who discovered the cave twenty years ago.


Worth knowing

The unique and outstanding universal attributes of the cave were recognised by UNESCO in June 2014 with its inscription as a World Heritage site.

Who should go

This is a place suitable for everyone, but especially those interested in history and the heritage of France and this part of the Ardeche. Tours are available in French, German, English and Dutch and audio guides are available in these languages plus, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.

When to come

From February to March, and from October to 14 November 10:00 until 18:00. April, May, June, September 10:00 until 19:00. July & August 08:30 to 22:00. From 15 November to 31 January 10:00 to 17:00.

How to book

During the busy summer months it is advisable to book your tickets in advance, which you can do via their website.

Location

Map of the surrounding area