Musée de Tautavel - Centre européen de préhistoire

About the museum

The museum presents the finds from the Caune de l’Arago, a cave in the Verdouble valley where excavations have been under way for more than sixty years. A very ancient human skull was found there in 1971. To display these first discoveries, a small museum was set up in Tautavel in 1978.

In 1992 the museum was expanded. Today it offers about 2,000 m² of public galleries, plus other non-public spaces for collections, education and research. The current building dates from the 1990s and is not air-conditioned. The museum is part of a public cultural cooperation body together with the Centre européen de recherches préhistoriques.

The route comprises 21 rooms. It tells the story of Tautavel Man, around 450,000 years old, and of the oldest prehistoric people in France, who date back about 560,000 years. The collections include casts of human remains, Lower Palaeolithic tools and numerous animal fossils, such as bears, lions, rhinoceroses and reindeer.

The museum relies on reconstructions: a hunters’ camp scene in the Caune de l’Arago and a diorama room with sound and light. The cave itself is a protected archaeological site that cannot be visited; visitors discover it in the museum.

Highlights

• 21-room route on Tautavel Man and early prehistory
• Life-size reconstruction of the Caune de l’Arago
• Diorama room with sound and light
• Casts of human remains and animal fossils
• Workshops and family guided tours during school holidays

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours en 21 salles – Route on Tautavel Man and early prehistory, with casts, tools, fossils and reconstructions.
• Salle des dioramas – Scenes of prehistoric life with sound and light.

Founded

1978

Operated by

EPCC Centre européen de recherches préhistoriques de Tautavel

Director

Clément Menard

Visitors per year

approx. 102,524 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: European Heritage Days

The ticket is valid for the whole day. Self-guided visit or guided tour at the same price. Payment by card, cash, cheque, Chèques-Vacances (no change given) and Pass Culture. Reduced rate on presentation of a ticket for the Sankeo on-demand bus service or the Lio Occitanie network.

Accessibility

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

Parking for visitors with reduced mobility right next to the museum. A public accessibility register is available on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum presents itself as a family journey into the past. During the holidays, guided tours and workshops (for example lighting a fire or throwing with an atlatl) are included in the admission. It is best to choose days with activities when visiting with children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is signposted from the main roads. The venue holds the Accueil Vélo label.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Shop with books, educational games and souvenirs. Secure lockers are offered to cyclists for their belongings. The building is not air-conditioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit