Camping near Montignac
Montignac-Lascaux, or Montignac-sur-Vézère, is one of the destinations worth visiting in the Dordogne department. It is a stop not to be missed during your stay at our campground near Montignac.
The picturesque and historic streets invite you to discover famous people, heritage, and the history of the town. Among the must-see places in Montignac is the International Center for Cave Art, where all of the decorations from the Lascaux cave have been reproduced.
Visitors are also interested in places such as the Maison Duchêne, the Priory of Saint-Georges Church, Saint-Jean Hospital, and Rue de la Pégerie. From ourcampground near Montignac, you will be ideally located to visit the town and the famous Lascaux Caves.
Make the most of your vacation in the Dordogne in southwestern France to visit several of the most beautiful villages in France, as well as the many castles in the Dordogne Valley.
Where is Montignac located?
Montignac is located in the Dordogne department, along the Dordogne River in the heart of nature, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
The city owes its reputation to the Lascaux caves and, more broadly, to its rich historical and cultural heritage; places such as Square Pautauberge, the Clarisses convent, and Maison Duchêne contribute to the richness of this heritage.
Montignac is also a stopover or starting point for exploring other destinations.
Among the closest towns are Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère (7 miles) and Coly (7.2 miles).
Many vacationers also take advantage of their stay to visit more well-known destinations such as Les Eyzies (15 miles), Sarlat-la-Canéda (16 miles), Domme (24 miles), or even Brive-la-Gaillarde (29 miles).
History of Montignac-Lascaux
The first human communities to settle in Montignac date back to the Paleolithic era. It was these distant ancestors who occupied the famous Lascaux cave, discovered in September 1940.
Among the remains found in the town is a fortress dating back to the early Middle Ages.
In the 11th century, it passed into the hands of the Count of Périgord, who decided to turn it into an important stronghold. However, the castle was far from impregnable. Dismantled several times, the building was destroyed in 1825. Only the tower and infrastructure remain.
The Montignac bridge is another important vestige of the town. Burned down by Protestants in 1580, it was rebuilt but then swept away by floods in 1620. For the next 150 years, residents used a ferry instead. Construction of the current bridge began in 1766 and was completed in 1777.
The town consists of two centers of activity located on either side of the Vézère River. Medieval streets, houses built on stilts or with half-timbered walls, wash houses, and fountains form the backdrop to its historic center.
The town is also appreciated for its rich religious heritage, with its convents and priory.
During your stay at our Montignac Campground, you can also follow in the footsteps of famous figures. Among them are writer Eugène Le Roy, author of "Jacquou le Croquant," moralist Joseph Joubert, and fabulist Pierre Lachambaudie.
The Montignac Festival
The 2020 edition of the Montignac Festival will take place on July 31, August 1, and 2. Residents and visitors will enjoy three days of celebration, discovery, exchange, encounters, and sharing. The "Cultures aux cœurs" festival is one of the major events that marks the summer season in the Vézère valley. Every year, it is an opportunity for the town of Montignac to offer an eclectic program that delights both residents and vacationers alike.
Several free events are scheduled throughout the day. The public can also enjoy shows on the main stage every evening, as well as a free concert at the festival's bodega. Art and craft exhibitions and sales are also part of the program, including the opening of the city's craft market on the weekend of the festival, followed by a series of conferences, film screenings, debates, and more.
Visit the Lascaux Caves during your stay at our Montignac Campground
The Vézère Valley is world-renowned for its high concentration of prehistoric caves. It is in this fascinating region that the commune of Les Eyzies, the "world capital of prehistory," is located, known among other things for its Font-de-Gaume cave. The town of Montignac is not to be outdone, owing its reputation to the Lascaux caves.
The site was discovered by teenagers in September 1940. The cave has been closed to the public since 1963 for conservation reasons. However, visitors can still get an idea of the treasures it contains by visiting the facsimile (Lascaux II), which opened in 1983. Better still, since 2016, the International Center for Cave Art (Lascaux IV) has offered visitors the chance to see a complete reproduction of the decorations in the Lascaux cave.
Lascaux IV thus provides an accurate picture of the cave paintings that were created over 17,000 years ago. The museum also offers a faithful glimpse of prehistoric landscapes and wildlife.
Top 5 must-see attractions in Montignac, Dordogne
- Lascaux Cave: one of the most famous prehistoric sites and one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Vézère Valley. The "Sistine Chapel of cave art" is particularly notable for its paintings and engravings, which were created around 18,000 years ago.
- Parc du Thot: Parc du Thot is an educational park designed for children, offering a better understanding of the relationship between humans and animals during prehistoric times. It features a wolf park, a mini farm, a lookout point, a picnic area, and spaces dedicated to workshops.
- Château de Losse: This former medieval fortress located 5 km from Montignac charms visitors with its architecture, moat, furnishings, elegant terraced gardens, and peaceful setting.
- Regourdou: This ancient cave has been converted into an animal park. You can see bears there and visit the small museum that traces the archaeological excavations carried out on the site.
- Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens Church: This beautiful Romanesque church, built between the 13th and 18th centuries, is a listed historical monument. It is topped by a remarkable, very well-preserved bell tower.
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