Parc pyrénéen de l'art préhistorique

About the museum

The Parc de la Préhistoire, or Pyrenean park of prehistoric art, was created in 1994 by the General Council of Ariège, near the village of Banat in the commune of Tarascon-sur-Ariège. The idea came from the presence of about a dozen decorated caves in the department: the park was to introduce the general public to the art and way of life of prehistory. It opened in preview in July 1994, and regularly from April 1995. It is run by the Service d’exploitation des sites touristiques en Ariège, a department service, and is part of the Grands Sites d’Ariège.

The main building, the Grand Atelier, is a museum space of about 2,500 m². It presents films, models and life-size replicas of major cave-art ensembles, such as the Salon Noir of the Niaux cave, part of the Clastres network at Niaux and the frieze of the Marsoulas cave, which cannot be visited in the original caves. An audio guide in six languages, for adults or children, accompanies the route. Since 2009, the Jean Clottes documentary resource centre has kept the archives and library of the prehistorian.

The park covers 13 hectares laid out with pools, rivers and a waterfall. A trail leads to workshops where you can knap flint, light a fire, throw a spear with a spear-thrower, excavate like an archaeologist or paint in a reconstructed cave. The area “Les Géants de l’âge de glace” brings together a mammoth, a steppe bison and a cave lion in 500 m², and a hedge maze lets you hear the sounds of prehistory.

Highlights

• Life-size replicas of the Salon Noir at Niaux and the Marsoulas cave
• Workshops on hunting, fire, excavation and cave painting
• Les Géants de l’âge de glace: mammoth, bison and cave lion
• 13-hectare park with lakes, waterfall and sound maze
• Audio guide for adults and children in six languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Le Grand Atelier – Museum route on cave art with films, models and replicas of the Niaux and Marsoulas caves.
• Les Géants de l'âge de glace – 500 m² reconstruction of the great Ice Age fauna, from mammoth to cave lion, with a play area.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Département de l'Ariège (Sites touristiques Ariège)

Admission & discounts

Prices from March 23 to November 1, 2026. Payment in cash, by cheque with ID, by bank card or with holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances). Packages and preferential rates exist with other tourist sites in Ariège.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum space is fully accessible, including by wheelchair. The access paths and activities are only partly accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. Reserved parking spaces in front of the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

A playful, immersive park designed for families: participatory workshops (spear throwing, fire, excavation, painting), a prehistoric camp, a sound maze, a play area reserved for park visitors and a special children’s audio guide. Free for children under 5. Birthday parties can be held at the park.

Getting there & parking

By car from Toulouse: A61, then A66 towards Foix, then RN 20; before Tarascon-sur-Ariège, take the Banat / Gourbit / Parc de la Préhistoire exit.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Park restaurant, accessible without visiting the park, serving regional cuisine (booking recommended in summer). The shop is open at park hours and accessible without a ticket if you report to the ticket office. Picnic area. Animals are not admitted; a free kennel is available against ID.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit