Skip-the-line available How to Get to Lascaux IV
Every realistic route to Montignac — by car from Sarlat, Périgueux and Bordeaux, and the options if you're not driving.
Lascaux IV is on the edge of Montignac-Lascaux in the Dordogne's Vézère valley, and the honest practical reality is that a car makes the visit far easier — this is a rural region where public transport is limited. The routes themselves are straightforward once you know them: short drives from Sarlat or Périgueux, a couple of hours from Bordeaux. This guide covers each approach, the parking, and the realistic options if you're travelling without a car.
Driving from Sarlat, Périgueux and Bordeaux
By car, Lascaux IV is easy to reach from the main Dordogne bases. From Sarlat-la-Canéda it's about 30 minutes (26 km) on the D704; from Périgueux about 45 minutes (50 km) via the N89 and D704; and from Bordeaux roughly two hours (about 190 km) on the A89 motorway, exiting towards Montignac. There is free parking at the centre, a short walk from the entrance. A car also unlocks the rest of the Vézère valley and the Périgord Noir, which is the main argument for driving here — the region's caves, châteaux and villages are spread out and best linked by road.
If you're flying in, Bordeaux is the most convenient major airport for a Dordogne trip, with Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne a smaller closer option. Hiring a car at the airport is the standard approach for international visitors touring the region. Whichever base you choose — Sarlat and Montignac are the most popular — Lascaux IV is within an easy drive, and pairing the visit with the area's other prehistoric sites makes a car overwhelmingly the most flexible way to see the valley.
Without a Car: Train, Taxi and Tours
Public transport to Montignac is limited, and there is no railway station in the town itself. The nearest railheads are stations such as Le Buisson, Condat-Le Lardin and Brive-la-Gaillarde, from which you would take a taxi onward to Lascaux IV — workable but not always convenient, and worth checking timetables carefully. For visitors based in Sarlat without a car, a taxi to Montignac is the simplest direct option, though it adds cost.
Organised day tours are the other realistic route without a car: several operators run trips that include Lascaux IV, often combined with other Vézère valley sites or with Sarlat, and handle all the transport. These suit travellers who prefer not to drive and want the logistics managed. If you're set on independent travel without a car, basing yourself in Montignac itself puts you within walking or short-taxi distance of Lascaux IV and lets you use local connections for the rest of the valley.
Parking, Arrival and Timed Entry
Lascaux IV has free parking a short walk from the centre, and arrival is straightforward — but timed entry shapes how you plan it. Tickets are time-stamped for a specific slot, so build in enough time to park and reach the entrance before checking in. The site advises arriving at least 20 minutes before your slot to collect any tablet companion and join your group; in summer, allow a little extra for busier car parks and check-in queues at the ticket office, which our skip-the-line booking lets you bypass.
Once on site, the skip-the-line ticket means you go straight to check-in for your slot rather than queueing at the ticket office — particularly valuable at peak times. Plan to spend around 2.5 hours in total between the guided cave replica and the centre's galleries, cinema and exhibition. There's a café on site and the town of Montignac is a short distance away for lunch or refreshments, with the wider Vézère valley and Sarlat offering the renowned restaurants of the Périgord for before or after your visit.
Frequently asked
How far is Lascaux IV from Sarlat?
About 30 minutes by car (26 km) on the D704. Sarlat-la-Canéda is one of the most popular bases for visiting Lascaux IV and the wider Vézère valley.
How do I get to Lascaux IV from Bordeaux?
About two hours by car (190 km) via the A89 motorway towards Montignac. Bordeaux is the most convenient major airport for a Dordogne trip; most visitors hire a car there.
Is there a train to Lascaux IV?
There's no station at Montignac. The nearest railheads are Le Buisson, Condat-Le Lardin and Brive, with an onward taxi to the centre. Public transport is limited, so most visitors drive.
Can I visit without a car?
Yes, but it takes planning — a taxi from the nearest station or from Sarlat, or an organised day tour that includes transport. Basing in Montignac itself is easiest without a car.
Is there parking at Lascaux IV?
Yes — there is free parking a short walk from the centre. In summer, allow a little extra time for busier car parks and check-in before your timed slot.
How long before my slot should I arrive?
At least 20 minutes, to park, collect any tablet companion and join your group. Tours run to schedule, so arriving late can mean missing your entry.
Which airport is best for Lascaux IV?
Bordeaux is the most convenient major airport, with Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne a smaller, closer option. Hiring a car at the airport is the standard approach for touring the Dordogne.