Ariège has the most prehistoric caves
of any department in France
Ariège is an especially attractive destination for anyone interested in prehistory. The département has the largest concentration of caves (grottes) in France, including:
la grotte du Mas d'Azil--discoveries there led to the identification of the Azilian Age. The cave was inhabited continuously since the Magdalenien age and huge quantities of tools and other artifacts were found there. Many are on display in the Museum of Prehistory in the village. Tours of the cave are given throughout the day.
la grotte de Lombrives (the largest cave in Europe--the tour takes an hour and a half)
la grotte de Niaux (paintings) The visits to this famous cave are strictly regulated in order to maintain an even temperature of 12 degrees C and thus preserve the wall drawings of bison, horses and ibex. July through September there are 11 visits per day of up to 20 people with 45 minutes between each group, including a tour in English at 1pm. Three visits per day the rest of the year (no English tours). A reservation must be made by phone, though outside the summer months you can take your chances and just show up an hour before the scheduled tour. More info on this...
la grotte de Bedeilhac is considered a perfect example of a large Pyrenean cave. Prehistoric drawings, paintings and clay moldings of bisons, horses, reindeer and ibex were first discovered there in 1906, the first in Ariège. In July and August the cave is open everyday without interruption from 10 am to 5:30 pm with a guided tour in English at 1pm. Open mainly in the afternoon during other times of the year.
la grotte de la Vache at Alliat, near the Niaux cave but lower down in the valley, is the smallest of the caves open to the public. It was long the site of encampments and thousands of man-made artifacts were discovered there. In July and August the cave can be visited everyday between 10 am and 5:30 pm with a guided tour in English at 1pm. Visits at 3:00 and 4:30 in April, May, June and September. By appointment only in winter.
The Parc de la Préhistoire at Tarascon (open from April through October) features reproductions of sanctuaries and paintings from other caves in the Pyrenees which are inaccessible or closed to the public. The drawings in the Salon Noir in the Niaux cave are reproduced in their entirety. Outside there are examples of the types of shelters constructed by Magdalenien people and demonstrations of flint sharpening and fire building.
The subterranean river at Labouiche (between Foix and the Bastide de Sérou) is the longest navigable one in Europe. From April to mid November you can take a 75 min. guided boat ride along it.