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Ophorus Tours - Pech Merle Cave & Saint Cirq Lapopie Village Private Discovery
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Pech Merle Cave & Saint Cirq Lapopie Village Private Discovery

Day Trips Cultural

Embark on a captivating private tour from Sarlat to the stunning Pech Merle Cave and the picturesque village of Saint Cirq Lapopie. Uncover ancient prehistoric cave paintings that date back thousands of years and stroll through charming streets lined with medieval architecture.

With an expert local guide, you'll delve deep into the stories and secrets of the Dordogne and Lot regions. This intimate experience ensures you make the most of your day while traveling in the comfort of an air-conditioned minivan. Book your unforgettable journey today!

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Why you’ll love this tour

  • Enjoy breathtaking river views of the Lot
  • Explore unique cave paintings and formations
  • Learn from a local expert tour guide
  • Wander the charming streets of Saint Cirq Lapopie
  • Visit the prehistoric Pech Merle Cave

Your day at a glance

Prehistoric Art at Pech MerleSpend a full day in the Quercy region combining authentic prehistoric art with one of France’s most beautiful hilltop villages. Your morning is devoted to the extraordinary Pech Merle cave, one of the few sites where original Paleolithic paintings are still open to visitors under strict conservation rules. As you walk more than a mile through its chambers with your guide, ...

Prehistoric Art at Pech Merle
Spend a full day in the Quercy region combining authentic prehistoric art with one of France’s most beautiful hilltop villages. Your morning is devoted to the extraordinary Pech Merle cave, one of the few sites where original Paleolithic paintings are still open to visitors under strict conservation rules. As you walk more than a mile through its chambers with your guide, you’ll discover murals from the Gravettian and Magdalenian periods, including spotted horses, woolly mammoths, bison, reindeer, hand stencils and abstract signs, as well as moving children’s footprints fossilized in ancient clay.

Decoding 25,000 Years of History
Inside the cave, your guide helps you read these images as more than simple drawings, explaining the techniques, pigments and symbols that make Pech Merle a key site for understanding early human creativity. You’ll gain insight into how prehistoric communities used this underground world for expression and ritual, turning the visit into a vivid journey back some 25,000 years.

Medieval Charm in Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie
In the afternoon, the tour continues above ground in Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie, a remarkably preserved medieval village perched about 100 meters above a bend in the Lot River. Once chosen for its strategic defensive position, it now feels like an open‑air museum, with stone houses, steep cobbled lanes, panoramic viewpoints and a creative legacy shaped by Post‑Impressionist painter Henri Martin and writer André Breton. With time to wander, browse galleries and craft shops, and enjoy the scenery, you experience why Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie is often cited among the most beautiful villages in France.

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  • Pickup in Sarlat

    Meet your guide at your accommodation in Sarlat and settle into a comfortable, air‑conditioned minivan for a full day exploring the Quercy region.
    Meet your guide at your accommodation in Sarlat and settle into a comfortable, air‑conditioned minivan for a full day exploring the Quercy region.
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  • Drive to Pech Merle

    Enjoy the scenic countryside as you drive toward Pech Merle, one of the few decorated prehistoric caves still open to the public.
    Enjoy the scenic countryside as you drive toward Pech Merle, one of the few decorated prehistoric caves still open to the public.
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  • Guided visit of Pech Merle

    Join a timed, one‑hour guided tour inside Pech Merle to admire original Paleolithic paintings, engravings and natural formations that have survived for tens of thousands of years.
    Join a timed, one‑hour guided tour inside Pech Merle to admire original Paleolithic paintings, engravings and natural formations that have survived for tens of thousands of years.
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  • Drive to Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie

    Continue by road to Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie, a spectacular medieval village perched high above a bend in the Lot River.
    Continue by road to Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie, a spectacular medieval village perched high above a bend in the Lot River.
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  • Saint‑Cirq‑Lapopie visit and free time

    Explore the village’s cobbled lanes and viewpoints with your guide, then enjoy free time for your own discoveries and lunch at your own expense in one of the local cafés or restaurants.
    Explore the village’s cobbled lanes and viewpoints with your guide, then enjoy free time for your own discoveries and lunch at your own expense in one of the local cafés or restaurants.
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  • Return to Sarlat

    Relax on the afternoon drive back to Sarlat, where your guide drops you off at or near your hotel to end the tour.
    Relax on the afternoon drive back to Sarlat, where your guide drops you off at or near your hotel to end the tour.
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Informations

Languages spoken

English

Know before you book

2 participants minimum

Total price

3 participants

Price per person

4 participants

Price per person

5 participants

Price per person

6 participants

Price per person

7 participants

Price per person

8 participants

Price per person
760€260€200€165€140€125€110€

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • English-speaking qualified guide/driver
  • Entrance ticket to Pech Merle

Excluded

  • Meals and drinks (lunch).
  • Personal travel insurance & expenses.
  • Gratuities for the driver/guide.

Meeting point

, Sarlat-la-Canada View in Google Map

Departure

Pick-up from your accommodation in Sarlat

Return

Drop-off at your accommodation in Sarlat

Reviews

5.0/5 (1 reviews)
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Ophorus
  • 5
    Diane E 16, Sep 2025 We thoroughly enjoyed both tours. Both Benoit and Lena were knowledgeable and friendly. We could not have asked for more from either of them. Both tours were outstanding ! We would not hesitate to look to Ophorus first for any future trips to France.

Quick answers

  • Can I book this tour for a large group?

    Yes, the tour accommodates groups of any size, and various transportation options are available for larger groups
  • What should I wear for this tour?

    Comfortable closed shoes are recommended, along with a light jumper for the cooler cave temperatures
  • Will I have time to explore Saint-Cirq-Lapopie?

    Yes, the tour allows ample time to wander through the charming streets and browse the local galleries and shops
  • What cancellation policy is in place for this tour?

    Cancellations made up to 48 hours in advance incur no fees, while later cancellations are non-refundable
  • Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy the tour?

    While it is ideal for reasonably fit adults and older teens, be prepared for some walking on uneven ground and stairs
  • Are meals included in the tour?

    Meals are not included, so you are encouraged to bring snacks or enjoy lunch at your own expense during free time in Saint Cirq Lapopie village
  • How do I get to the starting point in Sarlat?

    The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it convenient for guests staying in Sarlat
  • What is the best time of year to take this tour?

    The tour is available year-round, but check local weather conditions for comfort during the cave visit
  • Is there a guided tour provided?

    Yes, an English-speaking qualified guide will accompany you throughout the entire tour; local guide in the cave
  • What can I expect to see at Pech Merle?

    The tour includes stunning prehistoric cave paintings, including animals and hand stencils that date back over 25,000 years
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