A cave hidden in a rocky hillside amongst farmland and villages just 30km or so from Le Bugue, shelters artworks 20000 years old. Only 12 people at a time and 180 people a day are allowed to view the works as the perspiration and humidity from our breath has had a devastating effect on other such caves and they wish to preserve this one for as long as possible.
This is the last cave with multicoloured prehistoric paintings that is open to the public. This narrow cave was discovered in 1901 and the paintings and etchings depict bison, mammoths, horses and other animals. The lifelike representations are enhanced through the clever use of the shape of the rock on which they are painted to give an almost 3D effect.
To think you are standing where people stood 20000 years ago and gaze on the paintings, some as fresh as if they had just been completed makes you feel very insignificant in the scheme of all things.
Once again our day was spent driving along narrow roads through forests and idyllic countryside, and intriguingly, also through areas where people carved homes into the cliff faces. These we hope to visit while we are here.
Back to the villa and a big night in watching the only English speaking TV we can get here that is not a religious program, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, McGyver and Star Trek!
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