Here are (only) 10 good reasons to come to Les Eyzies

N°1 Its impressive cliffs

Les Eyzies de Tayac Sireuil, from its old name, can be proud of having two landscaped cliffs from which we can admire the beauty of the town.
The most visible cliff is undoubtedly the one in the heart of the village of Les Eyzies. Facing the Town Hall Square. She accomodates the National Museum of Prehistory, the ancient castle and the Neanderthal statue. In winter, the mist and the light that springs from behind the statue offer an unreal spectacle.

The second cliff, grayer, is discovered when you leave Les Eyzies towards Périgueux. It is home to three major tourist sites in Dordogne: the Grand Roc cave et the Laugerie Basse shelter, as well as the Troglodyte Fort of Tayac (currently closed to visitors).

The Dordogne is full of cliffside villages, all photographed and posted on Instagram, but none as impressive as this one! 


N°2 It is the capital of Prehistory

The village presents itself as “world capital of prehistory” . It must be said that local tourism was born from the first archaeological discoveries.

This is where it was built prehistory as a science, in which MM Peyrony, Lartet, Capitan, and Abbots Breuil and Glory distinguished themselves through their work. It was here that the'CRO Magnon man in the Cro-Magnon Shelter. It is here that we find the world's wonders of cave art, including the last polychrome decorated cave open to the public: Font-de-Gaume, the Laugerie Haute and Laugerie Basse shelters, listed as National Monuments and protected in Unesco World Heritage.
It is in Les Eyzies where the National Museum of Prehistory is located, an absolute reference for the Upper Paleolithic and whose collections come largely from the sites and deposits of the Vézère valley so rich in its prehistory. The Prehistory Interpretation Center completes this system. It strives to highlight the exceptional prehistoric heritage of the area.

The Lascaux cave, located in the town of Montignac-Lascaux, is 20 minutes by car. If you want to discover the cradle of humanity, come and discover the Vallée de l'Homme and start with Les Eyzies!


N°3 Admire the Neanderthal statue and the National Museum of Prehistory

It is on a natural terrace that stands the famous statue of Prehistoric Man by Paul Dardé. It is the symbol of the prehistoric past of Périgord.
Many visitors call it the Cro-Magnon statue, yet it is supposed to represent Neanderthals. The name given by its creator isPrimitive Man.

This statue that we can approach by visiting the National Museum of Prehistory was inaugurated in 1931 by the Minister of Fine Arts at the time, Paul Léon.
First criticized, it is today the symbol of Eyzies and one of the postcards of the Dordogne.


N°4 Les Eyzies and its medieval past: the Château de Commarque

Commarque, one of the most spectacular castles in Périgord, is located in Les Eyzies.

Commarque Castle dominates the Beune valley between Les Eyzies and Sarlat, more precisely at a place called Sireuil. Built in the 12th and 14th centuries, the medieval fortress has a very special history. It was in fact a co-lordship of which many vestiges remain today.
The De Commarque family, who still owns the castle, organizes guided tours as well as workshops during the summer. Recently, the cave hidden under this fortress has been open to visits on request and the ramparts of the keep are revealed as close as possible to you thanks to an abseiling descent of more than 40m. Only the bravest will choose this activity.
For those who are more relaxed, the traditional visit and the on-site activities are worth the detour alone.


N°5 Les Eyzies is also the hamlet of Tayac.

Tayac Fort, troglodyte site, on the right bank of the Vézère facing theSt. Martin's Church located on the left bank. The religious building of Les Eyzies, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, bears witness to the typical architecture of the end of the Middle Ages in France where theromanesque art is made up of turrets, machicolations and other bell tower-walls.
The maisons adjoining this church of Tayac are a marvel ofPerigord architecture so don’t hesitate to get “lost” in the hamlet of Tayac to admire them.


N°6 This is a great hiking spot!

ASCA_Randonnée-Gorge d_Enfer_Les Eyzies_August22©Agence Urope (5)

Les Eyzies, in the heart of Black Périgord, contains paths to follow.
The starting point for the many hikes in the village is located near the campervan area.
These trails allow you to discover the banks of the Vézère as well as the small hamlet of Tayac or even to climb to the heights of the place called Gorge d'Enfer. An entire program !
For experienced walkers, the Micoque loop offers a 12km route.
This hike will reveal the secrets of Prehistory to you. During this walk you will admire sites such as the Micoque deposit and return via the Cro-Magnon Shelter into the heart of the village.

For families who just want a short stroll, the greenway which runs along the Vézère valley is accessible even by stroller.

Bike enthusiasts? This greenway will take you from Les Eyzies to Le Bugue, via the La Rivière campsite or the Bournat campsite. If you are feeling tired, why not stop there for a little refreshment or an overnight stay?
If you are more of a thrill-seeker, mountain bike trails are also marked from Les Eyzies. They allow you to reach towns like Saint-Chamassy or Coly Saint-Amand. Service providers from the valley also offer outings to Sireuil. Come see us, we'll give you all the instructions !
Don't forget, you are on the banks of the Vézère, a canoe trip is a must for a successful stay in the Dordogne. You will discover the Vézère valley in a completely different way.  


N°7 Its restaurants and local products. Périgord gastronomy, are we talking about it?

Les Eyzies, the Vézère valley and the whole of the Dordogne are renowned for the production of exceptional Foie Gras.

Foie gras Albie, located at the “crow's foot” of Les Eyzies, have been traveling through the region's markets for many years to help you savor this exceptional dish.

Les Eyzies hides another precious product that makes the reputation of the Dordogne: the caviar. Fish farming Black Pearl produces sturgeons of rare quality, which you can taste in certain restaurants in the town such as Le Centenaire, and which are exported throughout France.

Le Monday morning market allows you (from April to October) to fill your basket with vouchers local products like Agnès jams, produced on the heights of Les Eyzies or fruits and vegetables from farmers in the region


N°8 Les Eyzies and its activities

Summer, Les Eyzies celebrates the buffalo ! But why ?
During prehistoric times, the village of Les Eyzies was home to herds of bison.
This animal is often represented in furniture art and on the walls of caves in Dordogne. The bison is painted in ploychrome more than 50 times in the Font-de-Gaume cave, the original cave of Les Eyzies, still open to visitors, on the road to Sarlat. A propeller depicting a bison licking itself was found not far from Les Eyzies, in the Abri de la Madeleine, in the town of Tursac, its cast is exhibited at the National Museum of Prehistory.
So, traditionally, the 1er Wednesday in August, a spit-roasted bison is cooked and enjoyed in a friendly atmosphere between the Eyzicois and passing tourists.
Little anecdote: even the football club was called Les Bisons!

In summer, gourmet markets organized by the town hall also celebrate the Périgord welcome and local gastronomy. Don't forget to bring your cutlery and take advantage of the tables set up in the public garden.


N°9 Various accommodations welcome you.

You reside in the heart of the Vézère Valley by choosing to stay in Les Eyzies! Many accommodations await you.
Le camping La Rivière or that of Brin d'Amour on the heights are havens of peace, respectful of the surrounding nature. If you prefer, guest rooms to hotels with different ranges of rooms are available in the village center.
On Sireuil or on Tayac, many rentals also welcome families who want a peaceful stay. It’s up to you to choose your house or gîte…
Need a large reception capacity for a leisure center, a summer camp or a group stay? Cap Sireuil village opens its doors to you.


N°10 It’s easy to get to Les Eyzies.

The village of Les Eyzies is served by a train station. The Périgueux-Agen line allows a stopover for a day, a week or much more. Accessibility in train is a major asset for the municipality. The Cro-Magnon Shelter also tells you how rail traffic contributed to advances in research into Prehistory.

If you come by car, many parking are here. Thus, you will discover Les Eyzies in pedestrian mode. Coming from Sarlat, leave your vehicle opposite the Prehistory Interpretation Center and take Rue du Moulin to arrive in the town center. 
Note that electric bikes are available on the Town Hall Square to explore the surroundings of Les Eyzies or to explore the Vézère valley.

Bonus: Les Eyzies, the center of the Vézère valley

Les Eyzies is located in the middle of the Vézère valley, a few kilometers from the Lascaux cave, the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Sarlat or tourist sites such as the Aquarium du Périgord Noir or the Gouffre de Proumeyssac.

The municipality is committed to responsible tourism and is part of the territory Great Site of France.

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