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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Moulin de Laguenay cave, also known as the Boissière cave, is an adorned cave located in the town of Lissac-sur-Couze, in Corrèze, in the former Limousin region. It is famous for its two negative hands and its series of red dots, dated from Gravettien, a period of higher Paleolithic. These parietal representations, protected by a thin layer of calcite, reflect a prehistoric occupation of the site. The cave was listed as a historical monument by order of 15 June 1994, recognizing its archaeological and heritage value.

The cave opens in the Puy Gérald hill, on the correzian causse, about 140 meters above sea level. Its entrance, partially collapsed and narrowed in the early 20th century by a former owner, gives access to a 35-metre-long gallery. Inside, a muddy depression and sediment benches suggest an ancient exploitation of materials. The walls, partially covered with concretions, contain traces of parietal art, especially in a dovale-shaped area called "absidiole", where there are hands and dots.

The two negative hands, made by blowing or spitting black pigment, are positioned in front of a sheet of red dots. The first hand, located between 71 and 87 cm from the ground, is relatively well preserved, despite some modern degradations. The second, higher (106-114 cm), is partially erased and covered with calcite. The red dot tablecloth, composed of at least 24 points, has a complex geometric organization, with alignments and curves, suggesting a symbolic or aesthetic intention.

The cave has also served, over the centuries, as a barn or shelter built by local residents. Its entrance, dynamited at the beginning of the 20th century to prevent its use as a meeting place, has been modified, but the prehistoric remains remain intact. Hydrogeological and geological studies have revealed that the cavity, an ancient karst resurgence, has been formed in Jurassic limestones. Its sedimentary filling and its concretions bear witness to a complex geological history, marked by phases of flooding, fossilisation and drainage.

The parietal representations of the Moulin de Laguenay are comparable to those of other southwestern sites, such as the Pech-Merle cave in the Lot. Their style and technique, including the use of blowing for points and hands, highlight artistic practices shared during the Gravettien. The cave, although of modest size, thus offers a precious testimony of art and life of prehistoric populations in Corrèze.

Today, the Moulin de Laguenay cave is protected and studied for its archaeological value. Its classification as a historical monument in 1994 preserved its rock paintings, while allowing scientific research to better understand its geological and human history. Modern, though limited, degradations recall the importance of conservation for future generations.

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