Chauvet Cave in France was discovered in 1994.
The discovery took place on 18 December 1994 in the Ardèche region of southeastern France. Speleologists Jean-Marie Chauvet, Éliette Brunel-Deschamps, and Christian Hillaire entered the cave after following an air current from a small opening; the cave was later named after Chauvet.
Inside, they found exceptionally well-preserved paintings and drawings, including lions, rhinoceroses, horses, bears, and other animals. Most of the artwork dates to the Aurignacian period, roughly 32,000 to 30,000 years ago, making it substantially older than the famous paintings at Lascaux.
A rockfall had sealed the original entrance roughly 20,000 years ago, helping preserve the cave’s interior. To protect the fragile paintings and stable climate, the original cave has remained closed to ordinary visitors. A nearby replica allows the public to experience its art without damaging the archaeological site.