Grotte de Niaux

A decorated cave with remarkably well-preserved Magdalenian paintings. It opens halfway up the slope of the Vicdessos valley, in Niaux, in the Ariège, and belongs to the network of decorated caves of the Pyrenean-Cantabrian range. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1911.

The main chamber, known as the “Salon Noir”, gathers the most spectacular animal figures, painted mostly in black. The bestiary consists mainly of bison, horses and ibex, along with deer and even fish. The paintings in the Salon Noir have been dated to around 13,000 years ago. The cave also bears inscriptions left by visitors who have been coming here since the 17th century.

For groups : To preserve the paintings, groups are limited to 25 people and booking is compulsory. The guided tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes, lit only by portable lamps, along an uneven 2.5-kilometre route that must be covered within a set time; it is impossible for people with motor disabilities and strongly discouraged for people who have difficulty walking. Walking poles, canes, bags and photography are forbidden in the cave. The visit can be combined with other tourist sites in the Ariège as part of a tailor-made group programme.

Grotte de Niaux – D 56, 09400 Niaux

On request – preferential group rate (please contact us)