Lascaux IV

About the museum

The original Lascaux cave was discovered on September 12, 1940 by four teenagers. In 1963 André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, closed it to the public to protect the paintings from damage caused by visitors. A first partial facsimile, Lascaux II, opened in 1983 near the cave and reproduces about 80% of the paintings. Lascaux III, conceived in 2010, is a travelling exhibition of dismountable facsimiles.

Lascaux IV is the project of the Dordogne department. The steering committee chose the Norwegian firm Snøhetta on October 18, 2012, from 163 applications. Works ran from spring 2014 to mid-2016, and the centre opened in 2016 in Montignac-Lascaux. It reproduces the entire cave over 8,000 m².

The visit begins on a viewing terrace overlooking the Vézère valley, then passes through the facsimile of the cave. It continues in the Atelier, with the main panels of Lascaux and augmented-reality companions; in the Théâtre, which traces three moments in prehistory research; in the Cinéma, where the film “Lascaux et le Monde” is shown; in the Galerie de l’Imaginaire, which brings prehistoric and contemporary art together; and in the Salle Immersion.

Highlights

• Full facsimile of the Lascaux cave over 8,000 m²
• Viewing terrace over the Vézère valley
• Atelier with the main panels and augmented-reality companions
• Galerie de l’Imaginaire with a wall of 90 screens
• Salle Immersion, the film “Lascaux et le Monde” and a storytelling tour for children

Permanent exhibition

• Fac-similé de la grotte de Lascaux et espaces de visite – Full reproduction of the cave, Atelier, Théâtre, Cinéma, Galerie de l’Imaginaire and Salle Immersion.

Founded

2016

Admission & discounts

2026 rates for individual visitors. No reduced rate on combined tickets. A €2 supplement per person makes the ticket changeable, subject to availability. Payment in cash, by bank card and with ANCV holiday vouchers; the Pass Culture can be used by 17- to 18-year-olds. Online tickets are paid immediately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre describes itself as fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users, except for a few gradients above 5% in the cave facsimile. Wheelchairs are lent free of charge. Car park P1 has reserved spaces. The visit headsets have a magnetic induction loop; a tablet shows the commentary in French Sign Language and a text version in French, English and Spanish; thermoformed booklets are provided for visually impaired visitors. Guide dogs are admitted. The site holds the Tourisme et Handicap label.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Storytelling tour for children aged 5 to 10 in the morning, a playful version of the companion for young visitors, and programmes for schools and leisure centres. Children under 5 enter free but must have a reserved slot and be accompanied by an adult. Pushchairs are not admitted on the route.

Getting there & parking

Enter “42 avenue de Lascaux, 24290 Montignac-Lascaux” into the satnav; entering the word “Lascaux” alone can lead to a village in Corrèze, about an hour away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Lascaux serves boards, dishes and drinks during site hours. The official shop sells souvenirs, books, toys and decorative items.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

Several spaces, including the Hall (250 m²), La Faille (384 m², up to 500 people standing or 280 seated), a 124-seat conference room, the Galerie de l’Imaginaire, the Salle Immersion and three small rooms. Full or partial hire for seminars, cocktails, business dinners, gala evenings, team building and private visits to the cave.

Plan your visit