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Les Eyzies is a small village at the heart of an area of great and unspoilt natural beauty. Limestone cliffs, rolling hills, tranquil rivers and some of the world’s most interesting caves. Indeed, the cave-lined Vézère valley, site of the discovery of Cro-Magnon man, has been classified as a UNESCO heritage site.
In the heart of this well-preserved environment, Les Eyzies welcomes vistors from all over the world and provides a unique setting to unwind and re-discover nature. |
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The National Museum of Prehistory, opened in July 2004.It is one of the 33 National Museums directly attached to the Ministère de la Culture.
Reflecting the ever expanding archeological research, the museum houses the most important paleolithic collection in France (stone and bone tools and the worlds premier collection of paleolithic engravings and sculpture). The prehistoric times were marked by imortant climatic changes which opened new geographical areas to human activicty. The succesive climatic changes have given to the Vezere valley its particular features, impressive cliffs topped with forests, dotted with evidence of human troglodytic dwellings overlook a lush green valley through which the Vèzere winds its way towards the Atlantic. See Les Eyzies National Prehistory Musuem for more details.
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A prehistorian once said that there were only 2 prehistoric sites in Les Eyzies, those on the right and those on the left bank of the river ! In Les Eyzies, CroMagnon man and his sucessors have left traces of their presence from as long ago as 35000 years. The cave paintings at Fond de Gaume, are some of the few prehistoric cave-painting sites worldwide still open to the public.The village is also the site of the National Prehistory Museum, housing one of the world’s most extensive and interesting collections of prehistoric artifacts.
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The Medieval period was hard for those who lived in this area of narrow valleys and stony hills. Poverty and misfortune and endless struggles against conquest. Invasions by the Romans, Barbarian tribes and Vikings, led to resistance and revolts earning the locals the nickname ‘Croquants’ ( roughly translated as: ‘rebels’ )
The route de Compostella passed through the region and it was the battle ground of the Hundred Years’ War and then the wars of religion. There are still traces of these successive attacks both in the village and in the surrounding countryside. Man lived and defended his hearth, be it in trogolydyte caves (some inhabited up until the 1960s), one of the numerous chateaux, or the fortified towns (bastides) - many exceptionally well preserved. |
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From the 18th cent. to the present
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The Industrial 18th and 19th centuries touched Les Eyzies too and
La Forge was the Royal Foundry, where a number of buildings remain very well preserved.
There was also a kaolin industry, supplying the fine china manufacturers in Limoges.
It was during the construction of the railway that the remains of Cro-Magnon man were found.
Today tourism it is the principal source of revenue and employment in Les Eyzies, with a wide variety of cultural and sports activities.
There is an excellent infrastructure of camping sites, hotels, bed and breakfast accomodation, restaurants and shops to satisfy the amazing 800,000 - 1,000,000 tourists who come each year. |
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