Le Village Troglodytique de la Madeleine

The Dordogne


Many of the Vézère’s caves were used for storage, defence or protection as recently as the Middle Ages. This cave village 8km northeast of Les Eyzies was carved from the cliff face above the Vézère River, and its lower level was occupied by prehistoric people 10,000 to 14,000 years ago, but its upper level was used as a fortified village by medieval settlers.

Though it’s largely ruined, you can still visit the Ste-Madeleine chapel. Most of the archaeological artefacts are at the Musée National de Préhistoire in Les Eyzies.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Dordogne attractions

1. Maison Forte de Reignac

1.21 MILES

This Tursac chateau was built straight into the rock face that used to shelter prehistoric humans. Now it's kitted out with period furnishing and displays…

2. Grotte des Combarelles

1.5 MILES

This narrow, very long cave 1.5km east of Font de Gaume was the first rediscovered in the valley, in 1901, and is renowned for its animal engravings. Look…

3. Grotte de Font de Gaume

2.04 MILES

This extraordinary cave contains the only original polychrome (as opposed to single-colour) paintings still open to the public. About 14,000 years ago,…

4. Abri Cro-Magnon

2.13 MILES

Interactive displays trace the history and stories of Cro-Magnon people; there is a small rock shelter accessible above the site.

5. La Roque St-Christophe

2.2 MILES

On a sheer cliff face 80m above the Vézère, this 900m-long series of terraces and caves has been a practically unassailable natural fortress for almost 50…

6. Grotte du Grand Roc

2.23 MILES

Around 3km northwest of Les Eyzies along the D47, this cave contains an array of glittering stalactites and stalagmites. A joint ticket (adult/child €11/6…

7. Abri Pataud

2.31 MILES

About 250m north of the Musée National de Préhistoire, this Cro-Magnon abri (shelter) was inhabited over a period of 15,000 years starting some 37,000…

8. Musée National de Préhistoire

2.34 MILES

Inside a marvellous modern building alongside the cliffs, this museum provides a fine prehistory primer, with the most comprehensive collection of…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "france/the-vezere-valley/attractions/le-village-troglodytique-de-la-madeleine/a/poi-sig/1236375/1318547",
      "destination": "The-Dordogne",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "France",
      "region": "The-Dordogne",
      "position": "superzone"
    }