Chauvet & Cosquer

Departing: April 2027 - April 2027

An in-depth analysis of two of palaeontology’s greatest finds.

Palaeolithic cave painting and engravings are mankind’s first recognisable artistic expression, but they mean even more than that. They show creatures which were extant during the Ice Age and shed light on hunter gatherer culture thousands of years old, with many archaeologists considering the art to be a highly sophisticated way of expressing complex beliefs about the supernatural world. The discovery of the caves at Cosquer in the Ardeche in 1985 and Chauvet – Pont d’Arc in Provence in 1994 were of huge significance. Exceptional because of the number and variety of the animal images depicted, their extreme age and quality, together with the sheer size of both sites with their interlocking galleries; these caves revolutionise our understanding of emerging human creativity.

Included

Explore Caverne du Pont d’Arc & La Grotte Cosquer, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager
3 nights at the Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
Wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Private air-conditioned coach travel
Field notes, taxes & gratuities for local staff

Highlights

An in-depth analysis of two of palaeontology’s greatest finds in the company of an expert
Visit to the Caverne du Pont d’Arc to explore this unique facility
See the state-of-the-art facsimile of La Grotte Cosquer

Tour Itinerary

Arrive into Marseille and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon

Having learnt lessons at Lascaux where the cave suffered irreparable damage before its closure in 1963, the Chauvet cave has never been opened to the public since its discovery in 1994. Restrictions imposed by the French Ministry of Culture bar all but scientists and other researchers from the fragile environment of the cave itself. However, recognising that an international audience was clamouring to view the cave, a $62.5 million facsimile, called the Caverne du Pont d’Arc after a nearby landmark, was created and this morning we explore this unique facility.

The simulated cavern is not only a stunning real-life recreation of the cave but also a celebration to its discovery, when three weekend cavers tunnelled their way through a narrow passage, using hammers and awls to chip away at the rocks and stalactites that blocked their progress. They descended into a world frozen in time – its main entrance blocked off by a massive rockslide 29,000 years ago.

In the afternoon, we drive to Aven D’Ornac, where we visit the Cite de la Prehistoire. The Exhibitions here take us on a journey from the Middle Paleolithic to the first Iron Age, covering a period of 350,000 years from Neanderthal to Homo Sapiens, examining the lifestyle of hunter gatherers through their agriculture, husbandry and metallurgy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon

We spend our morning at Cosquer Mediterranee to see the state-of-the-art facsimile of La Grotte Cosquer. Six years in the making, this new museum opened its doors in June 2022, and it is evident that the technical skill used to create the facsimile at Lascaux and Chauvet has shown dividends here. Years of painstaking analysis undertaken by scientists who examined the subaquatic art millimetre by millimetre has resulted in a fabulous true to life accessible version of this precious cave site. The entire scale of the 2,300m2 cave system has been faithfully replicated with meticulous attention to detail. As we are conveyed through the tunnels, skilful lighting reveals more than 500 images which unfold just as you travel deeper into the facsimile. Hundreds of different animals are depicted, from megaceros to penguins as well as carvings etched into the ceilings and walls.

In the afternoon, we visit the Marseille History Museum.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

Well located in the heart of Avignon, the Avignon Grand Hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Facilities include a restaurant, tranquil garden, an outdoor swimming pool and guestrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and complimentary toiletries.

Availability & Booking

2027

6th April from $3,150

Call to Book

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