The Cave of Lascaux was discovered in 1940 and is one of the finest of all prehistoric caves. Paintings date back to the Paleolithic period, 17 000 years ago. They represent animals - including horses, mammoths, bison, aurochs, human representations and symbols. As the intensive number of visitors started deteriorating the paintings, the cave was closed to the public in 1963. Visitors can visit a replica of the cave, "Lascaux II", located near the original one.
