Lascaux II, a partial but spectacular and highly accurate replica of Lascaux, was opened to the public in 1983. This allowed 1000s of people to experience the Ice Age cave art of Lascaux that is now closed to everyone. Since the opening of Lascaux IV, a new more in-depth experience is on offer at Lascaux II. Now you get to enter the Hall of the Bulls and see those extraordinary images, as close as is possible, just as the prehistoric people did all those years ago.Â
- Thomas Dowson
- Last Checked and/or Updated 19 February 2024
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- France
Lascaux was discovered in September of 1940 by four teenagers, Marcel Ravidat, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agnel, and Simon Coencas, looking for Marcel’s dog, Robot. Leading archaeologists of the time immediately realised the site’s significance. In 1948 the cave was opened to the public, and by 1955 around 1,200 visitors were visiting Lascaux each day.
Besides the ongoing natural processes effecting the surface of the rock on which the images had been made, dust and fungal spores were just two of the biggest new concerns resulting from the opening of the cave that had been sealed for millennia. Because of the damage caused to the prehistoric paintings and engravings by thousands of visitors each week, Lascaux was closed to the public in 1963. The Ministry of Culture embarked on an expensive project to create a replica of the cave. Lascaux II opened to the public in 1983.Â
Lascaux II contains the main sections of the cave, and provides visitors with an opportunity to see some of the very striking painted panels from Lascaux. Although you are looking at a replica, appreciate that the accuracy of the replica is measured in millimetres. Since 1983, we have had two further projects, namely Lascaux III and Lascaux IV.
Lascaux III is a set of panels reproduced for the purposes of a travelling exhibition. The inaugural exhibition opened in October 2012 in Bordeaux. From there it travelled to many different countries around the world. Lascaux IV is a more complete replica that II, and part of a much more extensive interpretative centre that opened in December 2016, just off the hill where the original cave and the first replica are located.Â
The diagram below, in one of the antechambers of the Lascaux II, shows a map of the cave, with highlighted sections for each of the three replicas.
Monique Peytral: Painting Lascaux, Painting Life
Monique Peytrals is the artist who painted Lascaux II in the 1970s. In 2013 Constance Ryder created a documentary about this extraordinary project: Monique Peytral: Painting Lascaux, Painting Life (La Huit Production). You can purchase the documentary, or what the trailer below (French language with English subtitles, this trailer is 2 minutes 50 seconds).Â
The Lascaux II Experience
Since the opening of Lascaux IV, the experience of Lascaux II has changed dramatically. Long gone are the groups of 25 people hastily rushed through the successive galleries. As your group moved from one station to the next, you could see the group ahead of you being ushered out, and the group behind you being ushered in. Visitors only ever got to spend about 20 minutes in the the reproduction.
All that has changed. You can still only experience the reproduction on a guided tour, but the tours last much longer, and there are fewer tours available each day – each with a maximum of 30 people. Having done this new version four times, there has never been more than 20 people each time. People go to Lascaux IV.
Now the experience begins outside the cave, with a walk up to see the entrance to the ‘real deal’. The area has a number of large contemporary photographs, and so your guide will give you the background to the cave, its discovery, its geology, all in a much more relaxed manner.
After entering the replica you enter two antechambers, much like you would if you could visit the cave itself. In the original cave, these antechambers serve to purify the air, to stop airborne contaminants reaching the painted panels. In the replica, these antechambers have interesting displays that cover the archaeology of Lascaux, how the replica was made, and the paintings and engravings in the cave. This introduction to the cave and its art is no longer hurried, and it is possible to ask questions and take a bit more time to look at the displays.
One of the telling displays deals with just how difficult it is too see these images. At first you see a reproduced panel that you are told is covered with fineline incised images. They are very difficult to see with the naked eye. The guide then turns on a UV light, and the images jump out. While prehistoric people did not have UV lights, and they would not have showed up anyway, this exercise does show how difficult it was for prehistoric people to see them. But perhaps that is part of the point, they were not meant to be viewed as we would view paintings on the walls of our homes and art galleries.Â
Following an engaging introduction to the cave, its replicas, and the various types of art found in Lascaux, you are finally ready to enter the Hall of the Bulls. Before, you were simply lead into the chamber, and atmospheric lighting allowed you to see the images.
Now the guide lights a kerosene torch, the doors open and you are confronted with a black void. The guide leads the way in, and you get to see the painted ceiling just the prehistoric artists and visitors saw them. Well, as close as it is possible to recreate the experience. Truly, it is a wonderful way to first lay eyes on those images. My tip, once the demonstration with the UV light at the engraved panel is over, position yourself at the door (next to the large panel with the two black bison), so you are one of the first behind the guide to enter.
Lascaux II or Lascaux IV?
Having visiting Lascaux II many times, four times with the new experience, and Lascaux IV five times, I recommend Lascaux II. There is not that much more of the art at Lascaux IV than II, and I find the experience a bit gimmicky. If you have the time, and can afford to visit both, and you have a very deep interest in prehistoric art, I would suggest visit both. If you are short of time, or your level of interest is not that strong but you want a meaningful exposure to Lascaux, and go away with a good understanding of the site, Lascaux wins hands down for me.Â
Lascaux II is not accessible for wheelchair users, but Lascaux IV is – the whole experience, not just parts of it.Â
Where is Lascaux II?
The entrance to Lascaux II is located 200 metres from the entrance to the original Lascaux cave. This is on a small hill just outside the town of Montignac, in the Dordogne Department. Lascaux IV is at the base of that hill.Â
For users who have an account on this website, and who are logged in, click on the map icon on the Lascaux II box below.
Buying Tickets for Lascaux II
The tours commence on 30 March 2024, and the last day of tours will be 3 November 2024.
As these in depth tours of the replica are limited, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance.Â
Lascaux II Official Website
Official Website for Lascaux II tickets
Add Lascaux II to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to France to see the cave art, you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your visit. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
For more ideas and suggestions, sites and museums to visit, see our Guide to the Cave Art of France, our Regional Guide to Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and our France Travel Guide.
Lascaux II
Lascaux II opened to the public in 1983, situated about 200 m from the entrance to Lascaux. About 90% of the original cave is reproduced in this the first replica. With the opening of Lascaux IV, Lascaux II has remained open, itself a historical monument. Visitors now get a very different experience to what was offered before, an what is on offer at Lascaux IV. Long gone are the groups of 25 being rushed through so that as many groups can make it as possible – that is now Lascaux IV. A guided tour starts above ground and takes you to the entrance of the famous cave, before heading into the replica where you are treated to seeing the Hall of Bulls by candle light. An experience for those who have a deeper interest in cave art and prehistory.