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Why spend two or three days in Les Eyzies?
Les Eyzies holds a special place in the Vézère Valley. The village and its surroundings bring together museums, caves, rock shelters, cliffs and landscapes shaped by the river. Rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, two days give you time to understand the area; a third day lets you travel to Montignac and explore Lascaux IV.
This itinerary is a flexible suggestion, not a timetable to follow to the minute. Access conditions and opening hours may change with the season. Some caves deliberately welcome very few visitors, so always check the official information and book the essential time slots before planning the rest of your day.
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Day 1 — Understanding Prehistory in Les Eyzies
From the museum to the first traces left in the valley
Begin at the National Museum of Prehistory in the heart of Les Eyzies. Its collections provide useful background on Palaeolithic ways of life, tools and art. Starting here makes it easier to read the landscapes and archaeological sites that you will encounter later.
Continue with a pre-booked visit to Font-de-Gaume or Les Combarelles. These prehistoric sites can only be visited with a guide and daily visitor numbers are limited. It is usually more enjoyable to choose one according to availability than to try to fit both caves into the same day.
Leave some time to walk through the village, look up at the cliffs and reach the banks of the Vézère. After the indoor visits, this gentle walk restores the scale of the landscape and brings the first day to a peaceful close.
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Day 2 — Cliffs, shelters and troglodyte dwellings
A day combining geology and human history
For your second day, choose a site near Les Eyzies such as the Grand Roc cave or Laugerie Basse, depending on current opening and the interests of your group. Grand Roc reveals a remarkable mineral world of concretions, while Laugerie Basse explores everyday prehistoric life beneath a rock shelter.
La Roque Saint-Christophe is a natural continuation of the day. Located between Les Eyzies and Montignac, this vast cliff overlooking the Vézère was occupied and adapted over many periods. The visit combines landscape, troglodyte architecture and history, with self-guided or accompanied options depending on the current programme.
There is no need to fill every hour. A pause by the river, a woodland path or an unhurried return to your accommodation is also part of experiencing the Vézère Valley.
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Day 3 — Lascaux IV and Montignac
An optional day devoted to cave art
If you have a third day, travel to Montignac to visit Lascaux IV, the International Centre for Cave Art. It presents a complete replica of the original cave alongside spaces devoted to understanding cave art. Allow a substantial part of the day so that the experience is not reduced to the replica alone.
The official ticket office offers several ways to visit. Tickets are linked to a specific date and time, so booking in advance makes the rest of the day easier to organise. Afterwards, explore Montignac or choose another stop in the valley before returning to Les Eyzies.
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How to organise your visits without rushing
Book the limited-capacity sites first, then build each day around those fixed times. Check access conditions, the announced duration and clothing advice as well: even during summer, a cave can feel very different from the temperature outside.
Families often find the itinerary easier when they alternate a guided visit, an outdoor site and some free time. Couples may prefer to leave half a day unbooked, making room for a village, a walk or a visit they decide to extend.
- Book caves and limited-capacity visits first
- Check each official website before travelling
- Bring suitable footwear and a layer for cooler spaces
- Leave time for rest or a walk every day
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Where should you stay for this itinerary?
La Ferme d’Anna is at Le Mas de Sireuil, within the commune of Les Eyzies. Its five guest rooms and family studio offer a rural base for several days of exploring the valley. The swimming pool, terrace, pétanque court, on-site parking and Wi-Fi are confirmed facilities at the property.
La Table du Merle Blanc is preparing to reopen, but no opening date or service times have yet been announced. You should therefore not rely on restaurant service during your stay at present. For accommodation, use the official booking area to view the rooms and availability currently offered.