Niaux cave

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42.819686, 1.593683

Type of site:
Cave

Place of location: Haute Ariège - Vallée du Vicdessos
Village/Town: Niaux
Municipality: Ariège (Midi Pyrénées)
Region: Occitanie
State: France
Telephone: (+33) (0) 561 051 010, (+33) (0) 561 058 837
Website: http://www.sites-touristiques-ariege.fr/sites-touristiques-ariege/grotte-de-niaux
E-mail: grottedeniaux@sites-touristiques-ariege.fr

Natural Environment:

The cave is located in a wider geological system that also includes the Caves of Sabart and Lombrives, in the hill of Cap de Lesse.

Archaeological evidences in the site:

Although the cave does not have a clearly-defined archaeological context, it contains rock art of the greatest importance. The area that can be visited is the “Black Room”, the chamber with most of the animal figures.

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Opening Times:

Open every day, except December 25, January 1 and on Monday from November to March. Times vary depending on the season.

Booking and access:

Visitors are recommended to book in advance by telephone.

Nearby cultural destinations:

Parc de la préhistoire (7 km). Château de Foix (22 km). Grotte de la Vache (2 km).

Nearby natural destinations:

Bonascre Ski Resort (29 km).

Accommodations (Tourism Website):

Restaurants (Tourism Website):

Age of the artistic representations:

Middle Magdalenian (13,500 years ago).

General description of the destination:

Above all, Niaux Cave contains paintings of bison, horses and ibex, drawn in black in great detail. Numerous geometric signs can also be seen, most of which are painted in red.

Museographic resources description:

A reception centre for visitors is available in a very spectacular iron building at the formidable vestibule of the cave.