City: Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Top Things to do in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Top Hotels in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- 1. Hotel Le Cheval Blanc
- 2. Best Western Premier Hotel Bayonne Etche-Ona
- 3. Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
- 4. Espace Blue Ocean
- 5. Radisson Blu Hotel Bordeaux
- 6. Hotel Cardinal Bordeaux
- 7. Hotel Parc Victoria
- 8. Hotel Le B d'Arcachon
- 9. Chateau Grand Barrail Hotel
- 10. Maisons du Monde Hotel & Suites - La Rochelle Vieux Port
Countries
Things to do in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France: The Best Caverns & Caves
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest administrative region in France, located in the southwest of the country.
Restaurants in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
1. Cave of Font-de-Gaume
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 764 reviews
The Font-de-Gaume cave is a marvellous example of prehistoric art from the Madgalenian period with a truly remarkable group of polychrome wall paintings and engravings. For reasons of conservation, the number of visitors is limited to 180 each day with a maximum of 12 people per group. Cave of the Vezere valley designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 15th May to 15th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. > 16th September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last visit at 4 p.m. Open in accordance with conservation necessities. Closed: > Saturdays. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
Reviewed By wanderingwanda855 - Berkeley, United States
We visited on Sunday, October 13, 2019 and we arrived at 7:30 a.m., two hours before the ticket window opened at 9:30 a.m. It was dark and cool (but not cold) and we got seats #3 and #4. By 9:30 a.m., only about 15 of the 30 available seats where taken, which was surprising given all the posts indicating a much higher early turnout. Perhaps because it was after peak tourist season (?). One important note is the cave is closed on Saturdays. On the Sunday we visited, they were going to allow up to 70 people to enter the Font-de-Gaume cave that day and up to 25 people into Les Combarelles. They were only offering tours in French all day for both caves. However, because the first 9-10 people in line were English speakers, they ended up changing the first tour from French to English. For our French tour of Les Combarelles in the afternoon, there were only 5 people and the two French-speaking guests in the group agreed to allow the tour guide to do the tour in both French and English, which was nice of them and helpful for us. Font de Gaume has polychromatic cave paintings while Les Combarelles has etchings, so they are very different - both are worthwhile. Since we had several hours between the two tours, we visited Le village de la Madeleine, the remains of a troglodyte and medieval village to the north, which was also interesting and worthwhile.
2. Les Combarelles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By wanderingwanda855 - Berkeley, United States
Since it's the same line to get tickets to both caves, and the etchings in this cave are quite different from the polychromatic cave paintings at Font-de-Gaume, it is worthwhile to buy tickets to this cave if they are available, even if there are no English tours. Fewer people are allowed into this cave than Font-de-Gaume but the history is similar. So if you get an English tour at Font-de-Gaume but only a French tour to Les Combarelles, you'll already have learned about the background and history.
3. Abri du Poisson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
4. Grotte de Rouffignac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Reviewed By davide-a-g-i
We arrived there around 9.20 to find already a big queue. Could only get a place for 11:30, so I strongly recommend to get there early. That being said, the cave is gorgeous and I totally understand the way it is being protected by limiting the number of daily visitors, to avoid the fate of other famous caves like Lascaux. The train is a nice touch and the guide was clearly passionate about prehistoric art. Lovely place in a lovely region.
5. Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean of Aubeterre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By Ajb1207 - Champsac, France
If you visit this beautiful village take a walk to this spectacular church. Absolutely had the Wow factor for me and my wife.
6. Grotte de La Verna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
7. Grotte de Pair-non-Pair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Discovered in 1881, the cave of Pair-non-Pair contains engravings (featuring horses, ibexes, cervidae, mammoths) which rank among the most ancient examples of art made by prehistoric man (between 33 000 and 26 000 years old). Prehistoric objects and artefacts discovered at the Pair-non-Pair Caves are on display in a special museum section. Open: > 15th June to 15th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. > 16th September to 14th June: from 9.30 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Closed: > Mondays (besides exceptions). > 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
8. Grotte de Tourtoirac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
What we will show you is a fabulous journey, from the heart of the earth to the heart of men, between geology, history and a human adventure. Discovered in 1995, the TOURTOIRAC CAVE marvels its inventor and his caver friends. Over time, water and nature have dug the cavity and have decorated and designed in a huge fresco. Following the underground river, you will be immersed in a spectacle of light and shadow between columns and draperies, eccentrics and fistulas.This unforgettable journey to TOURTOIRAC will lead you to discover this village marked first by the prehistory then the history of an ancient abbey.
Reviewed By 255richardk - Tulle, France
There is a 13.30 tour each day just in I believe July and August in English, which we attended as our knowledge of French regarding caves and stalagmites is zero. You are taken down to the caves in groups of up to a dozen in a modern lift. Once down, the walking surfaces are all flat enough to be wheel chair friendly and reasonably well lit. The stalagmites and stalagtites on show are ****truly fantastic **** having taken thousands of years to grow to in some cases several metres in length. The walking tour takes about an hour and as the temperature in the caves is just 13C take a fleece! Guide was able to answer our many questions. This site has only been open since 2010 and is owned and run by the village council. Go and support them, you won’t be disappointed. €7.5 entry fee in 2019. There is a cafe and shop on site. Parking is all pretty exposed to sun so don’t take pets.
9. Grotte de Bernifal
10. Grottes d'Isturitz & Oxocelhaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Prehistorical caves and a nature's master piece ! 1 hour guided visit ! prehistory & geology
