Ascension Weekend in the Dordogne: Dive into Prehistory at La Roque Saint-Christophe

On May 14, 15, and 16, 2026, in Peyzac-le-Moustier, between Montignac-Lascaux and Les Eyzies, in the heart of the Vézère Valley, La Roque Saint-Christophe invites you to a unique event during Ascension weekend: a major celebration of living prehistory, in an exceptional setting at the foot of the cliff.

This site, which is usually closed to the public, will host a genuine prehistoric encampment for the second time, led by passionate experts. It offers a unique immersion in the daily life, skills, and traditions of our ancestors, set within Europe’s largest troglodytic settlement.

• The campground is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Be sure to have a ticket from La Roque Saint-Christophe to gain free access.

An immersive program for the whole family

Over the course of three days, immerse yourself in the daily life of hunter-gatherers in a friendly and educational setting. Whether you’re on a family vacation in the Périgord Noir, ahistory buff, or looking for a unique outing idea for your vacation in the Dordogne, this weekend is perfect for you.

Activities take place Thursday through Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (La Roque Saint-Christophe is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), at no additional cost: Access to the workshops is included in the admission ticket to La Roque Saint-Christophe.

Events on the Préhistoriales program

The Préhistoriales take place at the foot of the Roque Saint-Christophe site. This isn’t the main entrance; it’s further up, below the Grande Terrasse. There is a parking lot designated for the Préhistoriales.

Activities and workshops take place continuously; admission is free (with a ticket from La Roque Saint-Christophe). No reservation is required (except for certain activities that are first-come, first-served, but not in advance).

🪶 Reading Nature: Healing, Nourishing, and Protecting Ourselves

Join Mélody to learn how to read tracks in nature through a prehistoric tracking workshop—an ideal activity for children and families.

🎶 Music of the Origins

Pascal, a regular at La Roque and well-known to our visitors, will lead his now-traditional introduction to prehistoric musical instruments. He will also offer workshops on making “Rhombes,” an instrument that’s half stringed and half wind! (Sign up for the Rhombes workshops on-site.)

🔪 Toolmaking in Prehistory

Making spears and spear-throwers with Nicolas, our expert in prehistoric crafts, who leads workshops every school break at La Roque Saint-Christophe.

🔥 Lighting a Fire

Angélique will show you how our ancestors started fires using the tools they found in nature. It’s a challenge that will surprise you with its technical complexity—and yet, at the same time, its simplicity.

🍖 What Our Ancestors Ate

Come discover the diet of the People of the Cliffs—a meat-based diet that also includes fish, eggs, berries, herbs, and early vegetables. Taste, smell, touch… Enjoy an experience that engages both your taste buds and your senses.

💎 The Art of Adornment

Mathilde will invite you to discover the art of jewelry-making and to experience beauty and creativity by crafting your own artistic object out of talc.

🏺 Neolithic pottery

Knead, touch, shape, and let your imagination run wild as you follow the guidance of Pauline, a ceramic artist specializing in prehistoric pottery. An artistic experience where you’ll create a functional and beautiful object.

🔨 Tanning and shaping leather

Robin, a specialist in environmental education and a naturalist, will introduce you to the process of working with leather— from tanning to making clothing. Dressing oneself—an act so simple, yet essential since the dawn of time.

🖌️ Face Makeup

Adeline will be on hand to offer prehistoric-inspired makeup “
” usingochre-
s and other natural pigments for visitors of all ages
!

🧺 Wild Basket Weaving

Florence will introduce you to the art of natural basket weaving. She’ll demonstrate how to weave willow and invite you to try your hand at it as well—
—to make a bracelet.

🏹 Archery and spear-throwing

Have you ever heard of archery? Have you ever tried it? What about spear-throwing? Discover the hunting techniques of the People of the Cliffs, and step into the shoes of a hunter for a few shots with the Compagnie des Jacquous.

The International Flint-Cutting Symposium, Friday, May 15

This year, in addition to the Préhistoriales, the International Flint Knapping Symposium will take place at the same location and at the same time. This is the first year that
this international event is being held in France. La Roque Saint-Christophe is very proud and honored to host these eminent specialists.
About thirty flint knappers will bepresent to discuss flint-knapping techniques and the latest research in the field.

Magnificent artifacts will be on display to the public on Friday, May 15, right next to the Préhistoriales at the foot of the cliff. Daggers, knives, bifaces, polished axes, and more. Come marvel at the earliest tools of our ancestors! A unique event in the heart of the Vézère Valley.

This special weekend is part of an initiative to promote responsible tourism and raise awareness of our ancestral heritage. It all takes place in a spectacular setting: the monumental cliff of La Roque Saint-Christophe, ranked among the Dordogne’s must-see tourist sites.

Practical Information – Ascension Weekend in La Roque Saint-Christophe

📍 Address: 2433 Route de la Préhistoire, La Roque Saint-Christophe, 24620 Peyzac-le-Moustier
🗓️ Dates: Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, 2025 (Ascension weekend)
🕰️ Hours: The La Roque Saint-Christophe tourist site is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and workshops at the Préhistoriales village run from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Last admission at 6:45 p.m.; no waiting lines.
🎟️ Admission: Access to activities is included in the admission ticket (available online or on-site)
🐶 Dogs allowed on a leash
🚗 Free parking – easily accessible site

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Les Préhistoriales

• Is it easy to park there? Yes, there’s free parking across the street
  
• Is there a fee? It’s included in the price of admission to La Roque Saint-Christophe.
  
• Can we pay with Chèque Vacances? Yes, admission to La Roque Saint-Christophe can be paid for in cash, by credit card, with vacation checks, or with the Pass Visites en Périgord.

• Is this suitable for children? Yes, it’s perfect for all ages and the whole family. Cultural mediators are used to tailoring their presentations to everyone.

• Are dogs allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed, on a leash
  
• When can we visit the Flint Cutters’ Congress? On Friday, May 15, the conference is open to the public free of charge.

• Will the event still take place if it rains? It depends on the weather; light rain isn’t a problem. We’ll clearly communicate any changes.

• How long does it last? Allow 1 hour and 30 minutes for a self-guided tour of La Roque, or at least 1 hour and 45 minutes for a guided tour. The Préhistoriales camp features several cultural guides, workshops, and activities. You can stay there all day—we also have a restaurant at the base of La Roque!
  
• Is it shaded? Part of the site gets sunlight for a few hours each day. If the weather is nice and warm like last year, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat!
  
• Is there food available on site? There is a workshop on prehistoric food, as well as a restaurant/snack bar at the foot of the site, La Table de l’Ecuyer. Open all day.
  
• Can we stay overnight there in a motorhome or van? We have a parking lot designated for RVs located near the entrance to the tourist site, past the restaurant. But be aware: it gets very crowded on Ascension weekend, and there are only about 20 spots available. First come, first served! There’s a municipal parking lot in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, the Camping Le Paradis right next door, and other campgrounds and parking areas in the surrounding area.
  
• Do I need to make a reservation? No, that’s not necessary. You can purchase your admission ticket to La Roque Saint-Christophe in advance through the online ticket office. Tickets are also available for purchase on-site. There is no capacity limit, and no advance reservations are required. Some activities will have limited space; you can sign up on-site with the activity leaders.
  
• When is it least crowded during the day? At 11 a.m., when the park opens. Also at the end of the day around 6 p.m., but you won’t be able to do all the activities—there are so many of them.
  
• Is there a place to swim nearby? Yes, if it’s very hot, you can cool off in the Vézère River; there’s a beach across from La Roque, on the other side of the bridge, as well as in Tursac near the bridge.
  
• Are there any hiking trails nearby? Yes, there are hiking trails, as well as mountain biking and trail running routes. For more information, check out the Lascaux Dordogne Vallée de la Vézère Tourist Office website, or your favorite apps (Visorando, Komoot, AllTrail, etc.).