Lascaux Cave

No, the original Lascaux Cave has been closed to the public since 1963 to protect the prehistoric paintings from mold and damage caused by human visitors. A full-scale replica called Lascaux II opened in 1983 near the original site. Additional replicas, including Lascaux IV (the International Centre for Cave Art) in Montignac, have since been created for public viewing.

The cave paintings at Lascaux are estimated to be approximately 17,000 to 20,000 years old, dating to the Upper Paleolithic period. They were created during what archaeologists call the Magdalenian culture. The paintings were discovered in 1940 by four French teenagers near Montignac in the Dordogne region of southwestern France.

The most prominent animals depicted include horses, aurochs (a now-extinct wild ox), red deer, and stags. The Hall of the Bulls features the largest and most dramatic figures, including a massive auroch measuring over 17 feet long. Less commonly depicted animals include bears, felines, and a single bird-like figure.

The cave was discovered on September 12, 1940, by four teenagers: Marcel Ravidat, Jacques Marsal, Georges Agnel, and Simon Coencas. They were exploring after their dog fell into a hole near Montignac, in the Dordogne region of France. The site was quickly authenticated by archaeologist Henri Breuil as an important prehistoric find.