Niaux caves (Les Grottes de Niaux), famous for their Magdalenian era rock paintings, lie in the Vicdessos valley, 7 kilometres from Tarascon-sur-Ariège. A guided tour takes visitors through 800 metres of underground cave system, passing through the Salon Noir, a natural rotunda whose walls are decorated with around 100 animal illustrations. These black line paintings are over 12,000 years old and depict large prehistoric mammals such as bison, horse, deer and ibex. They form an exceptional and incredibly well-preserved collection.
You are strongly advised to book entrance tickets in advance as the visitor numbers are limited for conservation reasons.
