Pech Merle cave

Pech Merle, near Cabrerets about 32 km east of Cahors, is one of the few decorated caves in France that can still be visited. The deeper paintings were discovered in 1922 by three children and teenagers. Many date from the Gravettian period, some 25,000 years ago, including the famous “spotted horses”. Hand prints can also be seen, one of them about 18,000 years old. Children’s footprints have been preserved in what was once clay. There are also depictions of mammoths and bison, and human figures.

Of more than 2 km of galleries, only about 1,200 m are open to visitors, and group sizes and numbers are limited to protect the paintings. The cave has been open to the public since 1926 and is run by the Centre de Préhistoire. Book tickets in advance, especially in summer (as of October 2026), and allow time for the tour and the visitor centre. A visit includes a museum and a film of about 20 minutes in French and English; ask for an English-language tour when you book.