Chauvet Cave, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc

Impressive!!! How French people have replicated this cave with fossil evidence of ancient humans there. You can enjoy several prehistoric pictures inside this cave made on the rock. No photos are possible inside the cave, unfortunately. But there is an interactive museum (with megafauna) outside which is worth.

Amazing experience.So interesting.Fabulous recreation of origional cave and paintings.Great guided tour .small group.English

The Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave, is located in France near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc on a limestone cliff above the former bed of the river Ardèche, in the Gorges de l'Ardèche. It was discovered by Michel Rosa (Baba) who found an opening (now named Baba's Hole) and followed inside. A while later the cave was explored by a group of three speleologists: Eliette Brunel-Deschamps, Christian Hillaire, and Jean-Marie Chauvet (for whom it was named). A later group travelled further into the cave and discovered the Gallery of the Lions. In addition to the paintings and other human evidence, they also discovered fossilized remains, prints, and markings from a variety of animals, some of which are now extinct. Based on a study published in 2012 the artwork was created in the Aurignacian period, approximately 32,000–30,000 years ago. It was discovered only in December 18, 1994, it is considered one of the most significant prehistoric art sites and UNESCO granted it World Heritage status in 2014.

The site is very well built. And you almost forget you are visiting a replica! The tickets are somewhat overpriced... We did the tour with an audio guide, but we had to stay with the group that listened to the guide. So we had a though time seeing everything to audio guide was telling us about. Especially on the end of the tour, where the most beautifull pieces are, the group was rushed out, the lights went dark so we barely got to see them... It feels too much about the money, they care more about how many visitors they can push through than how well the visit is experienced... Nevertheless still well worth the visit. Especially if you can get a tour in yoir own language

Magnificent. Beautiful. Stunning. These are just some of the words to describe the works that our past human ancestors left in this majestic cave. However, leave it to modern man to diminish all the great potential this important place holds. The reason I give Chauvet a 3 star rating is because of the experience. Simply put, it was poor. You are herded around like cattle. Rushed in and rushed out. Never really given a chance to ask questions or to explore any curiosities you may have. They really make you feel that it is just a money machine to them. Very disappointing in that respect.