Le Mas-d’Azil cave, a witness of prehistory

Spotlight on Le Mas-d’Azil cave

Located in the Ariège village of the same name, Le Mas-d’Azil Cave is one of the most unusual caves in Europe. Firstly, it reaches a length of 2,000 metres. In addition, the cave was carved out by the Arize river and forms a natural tunnel, which man subsequently used for road traffic. A unique development not found anywhere else on the European continent. It was actually while working the road section that the researchers found most of the remains here.

Existing for 2 million years, the cave was occupied during the different prehistoric eras. For the record, it even gave its name to the Azilian period of prehistory. That was an important era as it marked the transition from the Ice Age hunting culture to the Neolithic. But the main thing is that Le Mas-d’Azil is known the world over. Why? Simply because it has yielded a vast number of remains that have enabled archaeologists and historians to gain a better understanding of how our ancestors lived.

Le Mas-d’Azil cave is primarily known for its prehistoric past, but it continued to be frequented by humans after that. The place was also used as a refuge as early as the third century, with the arrival of the first Christians. However, the most significant period was obviously the 16^th century and the Wars of Religion. Lastly, the site was almost used as a factory to build aeronautical parts! At least, that was what the Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Midi planned during the Second World War. However, the project never came to fruition.

Today, the cave is protected in several ways. Firstly, the cave is a listed Historical Monument. And since 2009, it has been protected by the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park, as the park’s territory includes the village of Le Mas d’Azil.

On your agenda?

There will be two stages to your visit of Le Mas-d’Azil cave. Firstly, you’ll enter the interpretation centre. This is a chance for the whole family to discover archaeology and acquire the keys to understanding what follows in the next stage.

Then you’ll follow the guided tour which takes visitors back to the time when the cave was first discovered. A fun way to comprehend the site, as if you were one of the team of archaeologists working on the first excavations. Be sure to dress appropriately: the temperature inside the cave is lower than outside, whatever the season.

To round off your visit, your ticket includes admission to a museum. Located a few hundred metres away, it showcases the many works found in inaccessible parts of the cave. For example, you can see examples of cave art, weapons and tools carved by the Cro-Magnon people, along with animal bones, including woolly mammoths and cave bears. Then there are the painted pebbles, characteristic of the Azilian civilisation. And one key exhibit to look out for is the skull of a young teenage Homo sapiens, dated to 13,000 years ago.

The cave’s religious history is also recalled, in particular the siege of Richelieu. Finally, the geology and formation of the cave are depicted in a number of models.

Avenue de la Grotte, 09290 Le Mas-d'Azil

https://www.sites-touristiques-ariege.fr/en/grotte-du-mas-dazil-2/