Image taken from http://www.niaux.net/grotte.htm it is a reproduction from Parc de la Préhistoire
We are really fortunate in this area in that we have some prehistoric art which we can visit and see in its original location unlike other caves where prehistoric paintings and engravings have been found but which are now closed to the public.
The cave of Niaux is truly exceptional and well worth a visit. It is a good idea to have visited the Parc de la Préhhistoire first so that you can get an idea about what you will see in Niaux.
The paintings in the cave date from the Magdalenian era between 11,500 and 10,500 years ago. Local guides have been taking people to this cave since the 17th century but it was in 1906 that these paintings were brought to general attention by Commandant Molard when he drew up a plan of the cave.
You must book in advance to visit the cave because the number of people in each party is limited to 20 and only a few visits run each day. To make a reservation phone 05 61 05 10 10. During the summer months in particular some visits are conducted in English.
There is no electric lighting in the cave and visitors are provided with laterns, usually one between two people. You do need to watch where you are going as the path underfoot is far from smooth, can be wet and slippery and quite often the rocky roof above is low. You need to wear good walking shoes and take a jumper with you because the temperature is fresh - 12 degrees centigrade.
The visit takes about 1 1/2 hours and you walk some 700 metres into the cave before you reach the Salon Noir where most of the paintings are to be found.
Researchers believe that these caves were not actually ever inhabited and one can only guess at the purpose of the paintings there but there is no doubt about the skill of the artists, especially considering the materials and available light which they had.
| Adultes | 9.40 € |
| Enfants de 5 à 12 ans | 5.70 € |
| Jeunes de 13 à 18 ans | 7.00 € |
| Etudiants jusqu´à 26 ans | 7.50 € |
ATTENTION
Pour des raisons de conservation, la réservation est indispensable.
Du 28 JANVIER au 13 FEVRIER 2010
Visites à 11h, 14h15 et 16h15
Fermé le lundi 01 FEVRIER
Du 14 FEVRIER au 28 FEVRIER 2010
Visites à 11h, 13h30, 14h15, 15h30 et 16h15
Du 01 MARS au 31 MARS 2010
Visites à 11h, 14h15 et 16h15
Fermé le lundi hors vacances scolaires
Du 01 AVRIL au 03 JUILLET 2010
Visites à 10h15, 11h, 13h30 en anglais, 14h15, 15h30 et 16h15
Du 04 JUILLET au 29 AOUT 2010
Visites à 9h45 en anglais, 10h30, 11h30, 12h15 en anglais, 13h15, 14h15, 15h, 15h45, 16h45 et 17h30
Du 30 AOUT au 17 SEPTEMBRE 2010
Visites à 10h15 en anglais, 11h, 13h en anglais, 13h45, 15h, 15h45 et 16h30
Du 18 SEPTEMBRE au 22 OCTOBRE 2010
Visites à 10h15, 11h, 13h30 en anglais, 14h15, 15h30 et 16h15
Du 23 OCTOBRE au 01 NOVEMBRE 2010
Visites à 11h, 13h30, 14h15, 15H30 et 16h15
Du 02 NOVEMBRE au 24 DECEMBRE 2010
Visites à 11h, 14h15 et 16h15
Fermé les lundi hors vacances scolaires
Fermé le 25 DECEMBRE
Du 26 DECEMBRE au 31 DECEMBRE 2010
Visites à 11h, 13h30, 14h15, 15h30 et 16h15
courriel : info@grands-sites-ariege.fr
SESTA - Service d'Exploitation des Sites Touristiques de l'Ariège
Route de Banat
09400 Tarascon-sur-Ariège
tél.: 05 61 05 10 10 - fax : 05 61 05 19 19
http://www.sesta.fr/grotte-de-niaux.html
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