Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Caves of Marcenac in Cabrerets dans le Lot

Patrimoine classé
Vestiges préhistoriques
Grotte
Grotte ornée
Lot

Caves of Marcenac in Cabrerets

    Pech la Devèze
    46330 Cabrerets

Timeline

Antiquité
Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
0
100
1800
1900
2000
Magdalénien II ou Gravettien
Estimated period of works
Années 1850
Discovery of the cave
1920
Discovery of paintings
17 février 1951
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Caves of Marcenac (Case F2 419, 420, 421): classification by order of 17 February 1951

Key figures

Comte Murat - Member of Parliament for Lot Increased entry into the 1850s.
Armand Viré - Prehistory Codiscoverer of paintings in 1920.
Chanoine Albe - Researcher Participated in the discovery of the works.
Abbé Lemozi - Curé de Cabrerets Codiscoverer, confused Marcenac with Pech Merle.
Jacques Jaubert - Expert in prehistory Propose a date to the Gravettien.

Origin and history

The cave of Marcenac is an adorned cave located in the Lot department, in the municipality of Cabrerets, on the right bank of the Sagne. Discovered in the 1850s, his entry was expanded by Count Murat, then Member of the Lot. It is distinguished by its slightly undulating tunnel of 130 meters long, housing exceptional betting works.

The paintings and engravings were identified in 1920 by Armand Viré, Canon Albe and Abbé Lemozi, priest of Cabrerets. Discoveries include engravings of cervids and caprids on the western wall, as well as two line paintings (one 1.74 m bison and one 0.88 m equine) in an oval room 120 m from the entrance. These works, close to Lascaux's style, date from Magdalenian II or Gravettien according to experts.

The cave, a private property, was classified as a historical monument on 17 February 1951. Although closed to the public, it is a major testimony of prehistoric art in Occitanie. His study provided a better understanding of the artistic techniques and lifestyles of paleolithic populations in the region.

The cave lies between the cave of Pech Merle and the Auberge de la Sagne, on plots 419, 420 and 421 of the cadastre. Its restricted access makes it a preserved but unknown site, despite its archaeological and historical importance.

External links

Conditions of visit

  • Conditions de visite : Ouvert pour les journées du patrimoine