The original Lascaux cave is closed to the public: what you visit today is Lascaux IV, the full replica of the cave, at the International Centre for Cave Art in Montignac. This page gives the official 2026 hours and prices, how the timed guided tours work and the choice between Lascaux IV, Lascaux II and the original decorated caves still open in the Dordogne. To plan your stay, see our guide to visiting the Dordogne.
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Key facts: Lascaux IV
- Full-price adult ticket (age 13 and over): €23; child aged 5 to 12: €15; free under 5.
- 2026 hours: 9 am–7 pm until 1 November, then 10 am–6 pm from 2 November to 3 January.
- Last admission 2 hours before closing; arrive 20 minutes before your visit time.
- Booking: strongly recommended; timed tickets, valid only on the day and at the time chosen.
- Time needed: guided tour of the replica, then exhibition spaces (6 staged spaces over 8,000 m² / 86,000 sq ft).
- Annual closure: no opening period is published between 4 January and 6 February.
- Information checked on 15 October 2026 on lascaux.fr (official ticket office) — prices subject to change, check before you go.
Lascaux IV, Lascaux II or original caves: which to choose?
| Site | What you see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lascaux IV (Montignac) | Replica of the whole cave + exhibition and digital spaces | First visit, families, anyone who wants to understand it all |
| Lascaux II (Montignac, 1.1 km / 0.7 mi from Lascaux IV) | The first, older replica of part of the cave | Themed combination with Lascaux IV (joint ticket) |
| Original decorated caves of the Vézère valley | Authentic paintings or engravings, with reduced visitor numbers | Travelers who want to see « real » prehistoric works, booking very far in advance |
The choice is not « real » versus « fake »: the Lascaux cave itself can no longer be visited, to protect it. Lascaux IV is the only way to see all of its decoration. If you want original paintings, the Vézère valley has a few decorated caves still open to the public, with very limited numbers: contact their operators (including the Centre des monuments nationaux for Font-de-Gaume and Les Combarelles) well in advance.
Official 2026 tickets and prices
| Option | Adult (13 and over) | Child (5–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-guided or guided visit of Lascaux IV | €23 (reduced €22; disability €16) | €15 |
| Joint ticket Lascaux IV + Lascaux II | €29 | €19 |
| Joint ticket Lascaux IV + Parc du Thot | €26.50 | €17.50 |
| « Au fil de la Vézère » pass (4 sites) | €40.50 | €26.50 |
| Prestige visit | €35 (flat rate) | €35 |
| Storytelling visit (children 5–10) | €23 | €16 |
Reduced rates (students, job seekers, large families, etc.) are bought on site only with proof; the disability rate is booked by email with the site. The official site links to its online ticket office; other platforms resell entries or excursions. Before buying elsewhere, compare with the official price and check the visit time: a Lascaux IV ticket is timed and is not valid all day.
Opening hours and periods
| 2026 period | Hours |
|---|---|
| 7 February – 3 April | 10 am–6 pm |
| 4 April – 12 July | 9 am–7 pm |
| 13 – 26 July | 8:30 am–9:30 pm |
| 27 July – 21 August | 8 am–10 pm |
| 22 August – 1 November | 9 am–7 pm |
| 2 November – 3 January | 10 am–6 pm |
Best time to visit
Lascaux IV is an indoor site: the weather matters little for the visit itself, but a lot for the rest of the trip. According to the 1991–2020 Météo-France normals (Bergerac) shown on our Dordogne page, July and August exceed 27 °C (81 °F) average highs, with the heaviest crowds of the year at the caves; May, June and September offer 22 to 25 °C (72 to 77 °F) and fewer people. In summer, early-morning or evening slots (the site stays open until 10 pm from late July to August) are the quietest. In winter, check the annual closure in January.
Visit length and route
- Guided tour of the replica with a guide (morning and afternoon), then a self-guided visit of the staged spaces; the self-guided audioguide visit of the replica is only offered at lunchtime.
- Half a day: Lascaux IV, then the Parc du Thot (7.9 km / 5 mi away according to lascaux.fr) with the joint ticket.
- « Vézère » day: Lascaux IV in the morning, Les Eyzies (Grand Roc, Laugerie-Basse, about 25 km / 16 mi away) in the afternoon with the 4-site pass.
- Checklist: timed ticket, arrive 20 minutes early, a light sweater (the replica reproduces the coolness of a cave).
Which visit to choose? Decision tree
- First visit, with family → standard guided tour of Lascaux IV; during French school holidays, the storytelling visit is for ages 5 to 10 (every morning at 9 am during the holidays according to the site).
- You like the story of the discovery → joint ticket Lascaux IV + Lascaux II and the themed visit « Lascaux, chronique d’une découverte » (Lascaux, chronicle of a discovery).
- You want a more intimate visit → Prestige visit (€35), at specific times.
- You are staying several days in the valley → « Au fil de la Vézère » pass: Lascaux IV, Parc du Thot, Grand Roc and Laugerie-Basse.
- You want original works → add an authentic decorated cave in the valley, to be booked well in advance with its operator.
- Uncertain plans → flex option (+€2 per person) so you can change your tickets, subject to availability.
How the visit works
The visit begins with the replica of the cave, in a group with a guide, at the time shown on the ticket. You then continue through the staged and digital spaces, at your own pace: the site describes them as six spaces over 8,000 m² (86,000 sq ft), using new technologies. In 2026, Lascaux IV celebrates ten years since opening (2016–2026) and offers new themed visits, including a 2-hour investigation visit. These options vary by season: check the current program on the official ticket office. In the Ardèche, another cave-art facsimile is presented in our guide to the Chauvet cave.
Getting there
Lascaux IV is at 42 avenue de Lascaux, 24290 Montignac-Lascaux, in the Vézère valley. The car is the most practical way; Sarlat and Périgueux are the nearest large towns. Lascaux II is 1.1 km (0.7 mi) away, the Parc du Thot 7.9 km (5 mi) (distances given by lascaux.fr).
Accessibility
The site offers a dedicated rate for visitors with disabilities (€16, booked by email with proof). For conditions of movement inside the replica, contact Lascaux IV before your visit (+33 5 53 50 99 10).
Common mistakes
- Trying to visit the original cave: it is closed to the public.
- Arriving right on time: you need to be there 20 minutes early.
- Turning up less than 2 hours before closing: last admission has passed.
- Buying a reduced rate online: it is only sold on site, with proof in hand.
- Planning a visit in early January – early February: no opening is published for this period.
What to see nearby
Lascaux is the ideal starting point for the Vézère valley, Sarlat and the châteaux of the Dordogne: our guide to things to do in the Dordogne details the stops and the best season. In the neighboring Lot, our page on visiting the Gouffre de Padirac notes that it is 20 minutes from Rocamadour. For more ideas in France, see our France guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the real Lascaux cave?
No, the original cave is closed to the public to protect it. You visit Lascaux IV, the full replica, or Lascaux II, the older partial replica.
How much does Lascaux IV cost?
€23 for an adult (age 13 and over), €15 for a child aged 5 to 12, free under 5 (2026 prices recorded on 15 October 2026 on lascaux.fr).
Do you need to book Lascaux IV?
It is strongly recommended: tickets are timed and valid only on the day and at the time chosen.
How long does a visit to Lascaux IV take?
Allow for the guided tour of the replica plus the exhibition spaces; the investigation visit, for example, lasts 2 hours (1 hour of guided tour + 1 hour of investigation).
Is Lascaux IV open in winter?
Yes, from 10 am to 6 pm from 2 November to 3 January; no opening is published between 4 January and 6 February.
Our sources
- Lascaux IV (lascaux.fr): home page and 2026 Hours and prices page, consulted on 15 October 2026.
- Météo-France: 1991–2020 normals for Bergerac, taken from our Dordogne page.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.