Dear Member / Associate,
We are now planning our next trip. This time (at least for many of us) we are heading East, and the main attraction will be the prehistoric caves of Pech Merle in the Lot Valley. We shall meet at the on-site restaurant on Friday 17th July at 12 noon for lunch and a short talk, which I will be giving, on the subject of prehistoric lithic manufacture. The visit to the cave and the local museum of prehistory will then follow. As we will need to carefully coordinate ticket purchase to ensure we enter the caves as a group, we need to receive a firm commitment of interest by Monday 22nd June. The ticket price for the cave entry is €17 (although this price might fall depending on the size of the group we can assemble). Please let me know your interest, by reply to jeremy.trace@outlook.com .
Our Chairman, Greg, is a regular and enthusiastic visitor to the caves, and writes …
“The Pech Merle caves offer an outstanding opportunity to connect with our remote ancestors. Situated near Cabrerets approximately 30km east of Cahors, Pech Merle contains hundreds of remarkable animal paintings made over 20,000 years ago. It allows one to enjoy these treasures up close and in person and enables one to feel directly connected with the artist(s) over the millennia. Other caves have had to close due to deterioration of the prehistoric paintings through human contact, but Pech Merle remains open for visits and the painting are original.
The connected museum of prehistory perfectly sets the caves in context, both in time and space within the region.
For our committee members who know Pech Merle, it is a pearl that we delight in sharing with family and friends when they visit the region. We never tire of visiting and having our imagination transported. It’s a moving and humbling experience.
This event really is not to be missed. A taster of what to expect can be found at Pech Merle prehistory centre and cave. Lunch is at the excellent open-air restaurant right beside the cave entrance and museum and we will enjoy an informal talk by our Secretary, Jeremy Trace.”
There is plenty of parking at the site. Even if the weather is warm, bring a sweater as the caves are a constant 12°C inside. Access to the cave is relatively easy walking with some steps, but not suitable for wheelchair users (further access details are to be found on the site website).
By holding this event on a Friday, we are hoping it might give some of you, perhaps those who have further to travel, the opportunity to extend the visit into the weekend. The area has much to offer; notably including the famous town of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.
Very much looking forward to hearing from you.
Jeremy Trace,
Hon. Secretary,
Oxford University Society | South West France
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