Chauvet Cave 2

A marvellous breath of fresh air...

Discovered in 1994, the Chauvet cave takes its name from Jean-Marie Chauvet, one of the explorers responsible for the discovery. Alarmed by a breath of air felt along one of the walls, the three enthusiasts finally came face to face with a gigantic cavity several hectares in size, just a few metres from the Pont d'Arc.

For almost 30 years, more than a thousand paintings, drawings and engravings dating back to prehistoric times have been revealed during expeditions. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the site has never been open to visitors, a decision taken to preserve the site as much as possible, as it is considered too fragile.

According to the specialists in charge of the studies at the end of the 20th century, the cave was inhabited by humans during the Aurignacian and Gravettian periods, before a landslide blocked the entrance. This natural phenomenon has enabled us to preserve this ornate jewel, considered to be one of the largest in the world.

Wall by wall, stalactite by stalactite, drawing by drawing, the reconstruction of the Grotte Chauvet was carried out to the nearest millimetre by thousands of artists. For two years, and with a budget of over 50 million euros, financed by the European Union, the exceptional construction site of the Caverne du Pont d'Arc, also known as Grotte Chauvet 2, took place right in the heart of the Ardèche.

Open to the public since 2015, this life-size museum is an almost exact copy of the well-kept secret of prehistoric man. From floor to ceiling, you'll find works that are at once aesthetic, moving and scientifically major, in the understanding they have enabled of the evolution of art over thousands of years.

Between brilliance and ingenuity: a memorable visit

When you're on holiday in the Ardèche, take half a day to step back in time. Still often overlooked, the original Chauvet cave is almost 15,000 years older than Lascaux! Prehistoric traces that travellers can discover today, in a space where there is no risk of damaging the original works.

The detailed and passionate explanations given by the guide as you explore the replica are perfectly complemented by a tour of the Aurignacian Gallery. This area of the museum gives more details about the lives of the men and women who lived at the time of the paintings found at Chauvet.

Our prehistoric ancestors include woolly rhinoceroses, mammoths, lions, cave bears and other animals from the distant past, all reproduced to scale. For young and old alike, this immersion into the world of more than 40,000 years ago is both fun and useful.

Spectacular temporary exhibitions

Depending on the period, temporary exhibitions offer visitors an additional, ever more immersive experience. In 2022, the show Animal, from prehistory to street art captured the hearts of the curious visitors to the Grotte Chauvet. Every 15 minutes, the image-makers took spectators on a journey through thousands of years of art, from the artistic vision of prehistoric times right up to the present day.