Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in France contains the prehistoric decorated cave of Lascaux?

Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley is the UNESCO World Heritage Site in France containing the prehistoric decorated cave of Lascaux.

The property is in the Dordogne region of southwestern France and includes a group of prehistoric archaeological sites and decorated caves. Lascaux is the best-known name associated with it because of its vivid paintings of animals, including horses, aurochs, deer, and felines. The paintings date to the Upper Paleolithic period.

The original Lascaux cave was discovered in 1940. It was later closed to ordinary visitors because human breath, moisture, and microbes threatened the paintings. Replicas and interpretive facilities allow people to experience the art without exposing the original chamber to the same pressure.

UNESCO inscribed the Vézère Valley property in 1979. The listing covers more than Lascaux alone: its significance comes from the concentration of prehistoric sites, caves, burials, tools, and artistic evidence found along the valley. Lascaux is therefore a component of the wider World Heritage property, not its official name.