Lascaux (Lascaux Caves) (, ) is the setting of a complex of caves in southwestern France famous for its
Paleolithic cave paintings. The original caves are located near the village of
Montignac, in the
department of
Dordogne. They contain some of the best-known
Upper Paleolithic art. These paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old. They primarily consist of images of large animals, most of which are known from
fossil evidence to have lived in the area at the time. In 1979, Lascaux was added to the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites list along with other prehistoric sites in the
Vézère valley.