Magic. We have been to many more of the sites in the area and this is near the top. Our guide was great - fluent French and English, very educated in archaeology and anthropology AND a member of the family who own this ancient place from the year it was discovered. Paintings are extraordinary and the natural formations exquisite. Build in a lunch in nearby Gourdon and you have a wonderful day in rural France.

My wife and I live in France half of the year, as it happens only a few miles from Cougnac, which we had visited quite a number of years ago but not since. But with friends visiting, when we couldn't get reservations at Lascaux, we decided to go to Cougnac again. What a fabulous visit! First, the tour actually visits 2 caves, one a typical "wet" cave with stalactites and mites. Then in the painted cave one sees the original wall frescoes - not copies as at Lascaux - which are utterly stunning. And finally, our tour guide, who spoke perfect English, gave us a wonderful tour; in addition to describing in detail what we were seeing, on the 10 minute walk to the cave he gave us a wonderful demonstration of how many millennia have passed since those frescoes were painted. We will be making this one of our go-to visits when other friends visit in the future! (Note: photography is permitted in the wet cave, but NOT in the painted cave).

This was an incredible very personal tour. There were just 4 of us and the guide was very knowledgeable and patient and a student of archeology. He was bilingual in French-English . The caves were breathtaking - the geology and the paintings and I will never forget this experience. I totally recommend - this is the real deal .

Beautiful caves, not to be missed. The guides were friendly, helpful and very informative. Our tour was in English, although there were many different nationalities in our group of about 25. She was very patient, waiting for people to translate for their children. I had seen the pictures on here and online but still found the caves and paintings fascinating. The visit lasted about an hour and 20 minutes, which was perfect for the children. Brilliant, would definitely recommend.