Vezere Valley
The River Vézère flows 190 kilometres from its source in the Massif Central to its confluence with the Dordogne River near Le Bugue. In addition to the world renowned Lascaux caves, the Vézere Valley contains numerous other traces of prehistoric and early settlement - according to UNESCO - who have the valley listed as a UNESCO French world Heritage sites - there are 147 prehistoric sites and 25 painted caves in the valley.
The main prehistoric highlights of the Vézere Valley - often called the cradle of mankind - are found along the lower reaches of the river, between Montignac and Le Bugue, and centred around Les Eyzies de Tayac (usually called simply Les Eyzies).
Les Eyzies itself has little to offer the visitor, having long given itself over to tourism, but it does make a good base to explore the region. It does also have two interesting museums: the Musee National de Prehistoire and the Musée de l'Abri Pataud, which between them offer a good taste of the paraphernalia that has emerged from the surrounding countryside.
Personally I would base myself either south at le Bugue or north at Montignac or St Leon sur Vezere, or in one of the many villages dotted around the area, if I were visiting the region.
Some of the highlights of the region include:
Troglodyte dwellings at La Roque St Christophe
Paintings at the Grotte de Font de Gaume
Also well worth visiting are:
- The engravings at the Grotte des Combarelles
- Prehistoric sculpture at Abri du Cap Blanc
- The cave system and cave paintings at Grotte du Grand Roc
- The "most beautiful village" of Saint Leon sur Vézère (which I enthuse about in the section of this site devoted to most beautiful villages - see Saint-Leon-sur-Vézere).
Several of the caves along the Vézère valley are designated as National Monuments (four out of 85 national monuments in France are in this valley!) - for more information and opening times see:
- Abri de Cap Blanc visitor information
- Cave of Font-de-Gaume visitor information
- Abri de Laugerie-Haute visitor information
- For Grotte des Combarelles, Gisement de la Ferrassie, Gisement de la Micoque, Abri du Poisson, Grotte de Teyjat, Gisement du Moustier) see other decorated caves of the Vézère valley visitor information
Visit Vezere Valley (Aquitaine, Dordogne) travel, gites and hotels
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The Vezere Valley hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Vezere Valley is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Dordogne gites for Vezere Valley holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Aquitaine Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: Places to Stay near Vezere Valley VisitSee Visit Vezere Valley for places to visit near Vezere Valley including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Vezere Valley in our Aquitaine forum Airports near Vezere ValleyAngouleme airport at 124 km Bergerac airport at 56 km Limoges airport at 104 km Vezere Valley property for saleSee Aquitaine property for sale
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Tourist Classifications for Vezere Valley
- Listed UNESCO World Heritage Site
Places to visit near Vezere Valley, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Vezere Valley.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
33 km: Beaumont-du-Perigord (bastide town) 18 km: Belves (Most beautiful village) 17 km: Beynac (Most beautiful village) 21 km: Cadouin (abbey village) 18 km: Chateau de Beynac (castle) 18 km: Chateau de Castelnaud (castle) 2 km: Chateau de Commarque (castle) 20 km: Chateau des Milandes (castle) 26 km: Domme (Most beautiful village) 1 km: Font-de-Gaume (cave system) 22 km: La Roque-Gageac (Most beautiful village) 8 km: La-Roque-Saint-Christophe (World Heritage Site) 21 km: Lascaux caves (Renowned cave paintings) 10 km: Le Bugue (town) 0 km: Les Eyzies (Prehistory Centre) 15 km: Limeuil (Most beautiful village) 25 km: Molieres (Bastide town) 22 km: Montignac (Town) 29 km: Saint-Amand-de-Coly (Most beautiful village) 8 km: Saint-Cyprien (attractive town) 11 km: Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere (Most beautiful village) 23 km: Sarlat (Renowned town) 21 km: Tremolat (Renowned viewpoint)
See also Vezere Valley (version Francais)
