La Roque Saint-Christophe
A cave-dwelling town along a 1-km-long, 80-metre-high cliff above the Vézère River, inhabited from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.
La Roque Saint-Christophe is a limestone cliff about 1 km long and 80 metres high. Weathering has carved multiple levels of terraces and caves into the rock face. People have lived here since around 55,000 years ago, and in the Middle Ages it became a fortified town able to house over a thousand people, with houses, a church, a slaughterhouse and defensive works. The visit follows the rock terraces. Reconstructed wooden cranes, winches and houses show life in the cave dwellings, with views over the Vézère Valley. Admission is about €11. It lies between Les Eyzies and Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, about 30 km from Sarlat.
Opening hours
About 10:00–18:00 (09:30–20:00 in summer; shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
- Château de Commarque
- Font-de-Gaume Cave
- National Museum of Prehistory
- Grotte du Grand Roc
- Rouffignac Cave
- Lascaux IV
- Gouffre de Proumeyssac