Grotte de Niaux#

The cave of Niaux (Grotte de Niaux in French) is one of many caves in the Pyrenees with paleolitical paintings. Most caves are closed for visitors today, to avoid deterioration of the cave paintings due to increased temperature and humiditiy caused by respiration.

Nivaux is open, yet the visits to the 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.

The cave is kept in natural state, no lightening, simple often slippery pathes, leading through a number of narrow passages and two huge caves.

The paintings have originated some 14.000 years ago!