Rare Glimpse of 30000 years of history with expert guides
vist a troglodyte village hidden in the forest of domme

cave dwelling

Walk through history with experts at a unique site of an ancient cave village just minutes from the medeival bastide town of Domme, on the Dordogne River. Ascend from former 18th & 19th century vineyards adjacent to a water mill and site of Gallo-Roman artefacts to the troglodyte dwellings of Saint Front, site of two French Historic Monuments--caves containing rock art and artefacts dating back 28000 to 30000 years ago. This includes the "Mammoth Cave," a site that has given rise to several academic studies of cave art, including the impressive (1 1/4 metres high) bas relief sculpture of a wooly mammoth on the cave wall. These studies have highlighted the importance of this location's works of art, examples of techniques combining engraving and sculpture, among which are several remarkable bas-reliefs including the mammoth. Such art is the topic of current research and museum exhibits. See one recent article here (in French). Artifacts from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age have also been discovered here.

You will also see the medeival cave village, occupied until Word War I. Beautiful stone masonry is exemplified in the two- and three-story strucutres built into the cliff face, including an elegant cistern, fireplaces, and an incredible intact wood-fired bread oven.

The escorted tour takes approximately 1 1/2 hours. Please wear shoes appropriate for hiking. This experience will be offered once a week on Mondays during the 2019 tourism season.

Available Now! To reserve please email us. Minimum 2 persons.

Cave House

Cave Art: Wooly Mammoth Sculpture

This is a rare "off the beaten path" experience of a village hidden amongst the trees and in rock caves, two of which are Historic Monuments. The monument sites themselves are closed to the public. Bottled water and flashlights for cave exploration provided. Cost: ON CONSULTATION

Your guides have both studied history and anthropology. One has a history degree from Loyola University and studied graduate archeology and anthropology at Tulane Universty. The other has a PhD in history from Cornell University.

The experience is within the Domme municipality, Dordogne 24250.

We'll be near the Dordogne River and meander along ancient trails towards the cliffs of Saint Front, home to an ancient village bombed by the German army in World War II. We'll climb to see spectacular views of the valley and explore the ruins and caves.

The experience is available most Monday afternoons. Please email for reservations.

Fireplace in the ruins of a house in the troglodyte village

House and cistern carved into the cliff face

Part of the cave village featuring beautiful stone masonry

The Chateau of Giverzac lies on the plateau above the cave village (not part of the tour)

Part of a cave house. Humans have lived here for 30000 years.