Grotte de Pair non Pair Paleolithic engravings at Pair-non-Pair, near Bordeaux

Opening hours

Closed

  • Monday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Tuesday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Wednesday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Thursday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Friday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Saturday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm
  • Sunday 09:30 am - 12:30 am 02:00 pm - 06:30 pm

Opens at 09:30 am

On social networks

Useful information

Province : Bordeaux and its agglomeration

Services

  • Chèques Vacances (Holiday voucher)
  • Disable access
  • English spoken
  • Groups
  • Open all year round
  • open 7/7
  • English
    • Pair-non-Pair is one of the most remarkable decorated caves dating from the early Upper Paleolithic period (around 32,000 years BC). Its engraved bestiary (horses, ibexes, deer, mammoths, bovines) is enriched with an exceptional depiction of a megaloceros.

      The third decorated cave to be revealed to the world, Pair-non-Pair was discovered in 1881 by an eminent archaeologist, François Daleau. Acquired by the French government in 1900, it became the first cave to be classified as a historic monument.

      A key site for understanding prehistory. François Daleau's work constitutes one of the first scientific excavations of a prehistoric cave, with the gradual clearing of archaeological layers and the recording of all the remains found. Pair-non-Pair occupies an important place in contemporary prehistoric and paleontological sciences.

      A precious archaeological testimony. Intensively occupied for 60,000 years, from the Mousterian to the Gravettian periods, the cave has yielded 15,000 tools and 6,000 bones from 60 animal species.


      Services

      • Possibility of resting near the cave
      • Bathroom
      • Reception room
      • Shop, bookstore
      • Picnic area: 1 km


      Guided tour

      • French
      • Duration: 1 hour


      Opening hours (subject to change):

      • From June 1st to September 30th:
      • from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

      • From October 1st to May 31st:
      • from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

      Visit document available:
      French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch

      Museum space
      Visit document available:
      French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch


      2025 Rates

      • Individual rate: €13
      • Free for children under 18*
      • Free for 18-25 year olds

      (European Union nationals or residents
      regular on the territory of the European Union)
      * excluding school or extracurricular groups

      Access

      Close to the Poitiers/Bordeaux axis.
      32 km north of Bordeaux
      From Bordeaux, Toulouse or Poitiers: A10, St-André-de-Cubzac exit, then Prignac-et-Marcamps D669, Bourg

  • Français

Traveller Reviews Grotte de Pair non Pair

4.5 sur 5 574 reviews

  • Marion Branowski

    1 sur 5 Reviews posted by Marion Branowski on 08/01/2026

    On Friday, January 2nd, we were looking for a family outing for our nine-year-old and five-and-a-half-year-old children, who are passionate about prehistoric history and caves. We thought it would be great to take them there. Upon arrival, the woman at reception stared at my five-year-old son, and I immediately understood there was a problem. She told me that the visit wouldn't be possible because my son was too young and that visits were only permitted for children aged seven and up, and that this was stated on the website. Indeed, after searching the website for quite some time, I did see in the fine print that it was stated, but very poorly indicated and barely visible when making the reservation. During the booking process, it only says "free for those under 26"... The woman explained that, given my child's motor development, it wasn't suitable. I found this very insensitive, as I believe it's up to us as parents to manage the outings we arrange for our children. She initially told me the tickets were neither exchangeable nor refundable, but then later indicated we could exchange them with grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other relatives. Ultimately, the tickets were exchangeable, as it suited her, but not refundable. She suggested we go down to do the tour with just our older son, which we refused. Considering the price we paid and the lack of information on the website regarding age restrictions, I find this behavior inappropriate. I think they should make sure the important information is clearly displayed on the first page of the booking process.

  • K-H K

    1 sur 5 Reviews posted by K-H K on 06/01/2026

    Guided tour only, in French.

  • Marvin Mashayekhi

    1 sur 5 Reviews posted by Marvin Mashayekhi on 03/01/2026

    Having visited several caves, we had similar expectations for this visit. Unfortunately, we were shocked to pay €13 per person for a maximum length of 7 meters. We felt ripped off in a tourist trap; the guides' welcome left much to be desired. We do not recommend this place.

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Grotte de Pair non Pair

Address

2 Chemin de Pair Non Pair
33710 Prignac et Marcamps

GPS coordinates

45° 2'21.4"N, 0° 30'6.6"W

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