Abri de Cap Blanc

The Dordogne


While most of the Vézère’s caves contain engravings and paintings, this overhanging cliff-face contains a handful of unusual large carvings in relief, shaped using simple flint tools some 14,000 years ago. The frieze of horses and bison is a fascinating complement to the caves, albeit on a smaller scale. It’s 7.5km east of Les Eyzies. Tickets available on-site or at Font de Gaume ticket office.

From here it's a 15-minute walk through the forest to the nearby ruins of the Château de Commarque (www.commarque.com); staff can point you in the right direction.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Dordogne attractions

1. Grotte des Combarelles

2.69 MILES

This narrow, very long cave 1.5km east of Font de Gaume was the first rediscovered in the valley, in 1901, and is renowned for its animal engravings. Look…

2. Maison Forte de Reignac

3.01 MILES

This Tursac chateau was built straight into the rock face that used to shelter prehistoric humans. Now it's kitted out with period furnishing and displays…

4. Château de Puymartin

3.23 MILES

This impressive turreted château, 8km northwest of Sarlat, was first built in 1270, destroyed in 1358 during the Hundred Years War, and rebuilt around…

5. La Roque St-Christophe

3.31 MILES

On a sheer cliff face 80m above the Vézère, this 900m-long series of terraces and caves has been a practically unassailable natural fortress for almost 50…

6. Grotte de Font de Gaume

3.54 MILES

This extraordinary cave contains the only original polychrome (as opposed to single-colour) paintings still open to the public. About 14,000 years ago,…

7. Musée National de Préhistoire

4.17 MILES

Inside a marvellous modern building alongside the cliffs, this museum provides a fine prehistory primer, with the most comprehensive collection of…

8. Abri Pataud

4.18 MILES

About 250m north of the Musée National de Préhistoire, this Cro-Magnon abri (shelter) was inhabited over a period of 15,000 years starting some 37,000…