Journey to the heart of prehistory at the Brassempouy Prehistosite in the Landes

Imagine a place where the history of humanity has left fascinating traces, a place where the distant past comes to life. Welcome to the Préhistosite de Brassempouy, a unique site in the Landes that immerses you in the heart of the Upper Paleolithic. Famous for being the cradle of the discovery of the Lady with the Hood, one of the oldest human representations, the Préhistosite invites you on a captivating journey. The visit is divided into three exciting stages : a museum, an immersive archaeopark and the discovery of the Pope's Cave, the area of the fabulous excavation.

Are you ready to follow us? The Landes Guide is waiting for you!

The museum, a journey through time

Let's start with one of the centerpieces : the museum. It highlights the site's exceptional discoveries. The star of the place is undoubtedly the cast of the Lady with the Hood, a small mammoth ivory figurine over 25,000 years old. Discovered in 1894, this work of art is one of the oldest known representations of a human face and constitutes a world treasure trove of prehistoric art. The museum traces its history, its identification and its importance for our knowledge of the Paleolithic.

Beyond this famous Venus, the museum exhibits the many archaeological remains found on the site, including arrowheads, flint tools and decorative objects. These collections provide a better understanding of the daily life, hunting techniques and rituals of the Cro-Magnon men who lived here. The museum tour is designed to be educational and accessible to all, with models and videos that facilitate understanding of the lifestyles of our distant ancestors. In addition, to enrich the experience, guided tours are organized every day of opening at specific times, offering accompaniment by a guide who explores the museum's themes in greater depth and answers visitors' questions.

The Archeopark, an outdoor immersion

It's time to head to the large park that lies before us. As we descend the steps, the Landes Guide is impressed by this green setting. Halfway down, a bench allows us to take a break and appreciate our surroundings.

The Archeopark is a truly life-size living space. Here, we are quickly transported to the world of Cro-Magnon man thanks to faithful reconstructions of habitats, showing what the temporary camps and huts looked like. Fictional animals surround us to remind us that we are in their ecosystem.

The highlight of this part of the site lies in the participatory workshops. They make the experience fun and interactive. The guides take turns leading sessions where you can:

• Test wall painting techniques like in caves;
• Learn flint knapping and create your tools;
• Trying to light a fire like in the Paleolithic;
• Learn how to shoot with a speargun.

It was in this same order that we had the chance to participate in the activities on the day of our visit.

Cave art

Cave art, or wall art, refers to the paintings and engravings made by prehistoric humans on the walls and ceilings of caves and rock shelters. This form of artistic expression, which has survived for millennia, gives us a fascinating insight into the lives, beliefs, and environment of Cro-Magnon man. Often practiced with natural pigments such as ochre, charcoal, and manganese, this art depicts animals (horses, bison, mammoths), geometric signs, and sometimes stylized human figures.

During the wall painting workshop at the Préhistosite de Brassempouy, we were invited to discover and reproduce these ancestral techniques. The activity allows us to use natural pigments to create our own works, while understanding the methods and tools used by our ancestors. It is a unique opportunity to connect in a very concrete way with the artistic and cultural heritage left by the first modern humans.

The tools

One of the most fascinating workshops is the one dedicated to tools and fire lighting. The facilitator introduces us to the different rocks used at the time, such as flint, which is an essential material for creating sharp tools and for producing sparks. He then shows us how prehistoric man, thanks to these stones and techniques such as percussion or friction, managed to create a flame. The activity allows us to understand that fire could be obtained by various means:

• Percussion : Rubbing two rocks together, usually a flint stone against a piece of marcasite (a type of iron), to create a spark.
• Friction : vigorously rubbing a wooden point on a board to produce heat and embers.

This interactive demonstration highlights the ingenuity of our ancestors and the importance of mastering fire for their survival, whether for heating, cooking food, or protection from predators. Now that the fire is ready, it's time to go hunting...

The propellant shot

Finally, the last workshop for the Landes Guide: spear-thrower shooting. This tool, which was a major invention of the time, allowed hunters to throw assegais with a force and precision far superior to that of a simple hand throw. The facilitator explains the principle of this " ancestor of the bow ", which uses leverage to propel the projectile. After some clarification, we are invited to try this technique on targets representing prehistoric animals. It is a fun, family-friendly activity that gives us a concrete idea of the difficulty and skill required for hunting at that time. This allows us to better understand how men managed to hunt game for food and clothing.

These hands-on activities help us learn about the skills of our ancestors. Flora and fauna surround us, and this is no small feat: we discover plants used in everyday life and crafts.

The Pope's Caves, the place of discovery

4:30 p.m.: We are expected in the Préhistosite shop to set off on our adventure.

Located 3 km from the village of Brassempouy, the cave site is made up of four main cavities:

• The Pope's Grotto ;
• The hyena cave ;
• The Megaceros Gallery ;
• The Dubalen shelter.

On our side, the excursion is done by car. However, it is also good to know that a 3 km hike is possible to reach it, offering a pleasant walk through the surrounding nature.

Access to the caves is exclusively through guided tours for conservation and safety reasons. It is important to note that visitors do not enter the cavities directly, as they are still the subject of archaeological excavations. Our guide explains the context of the discovery and shows us objects still under the stone. It is a total immersion, as close as possible to the place where our ancestors lived.

As you can see, a visit to the Brassempouy Prehistosite is a complete and exciting experience that combines the richness of its heritage with modern museography. The museum immerses you in the history of the Lady with the Hood, while the Archéoparc, with its fun workshops and reconstructions of habitats, brings to life the techniques and lifestyle of prehistoric man. The Pope's Cave, the place of discovery, is a unique moment of emotion, anchored in the past, with one foot in the present and the other in the future.

Beyond Brassempouy, the Landes region offers many activities to discover to extend your stay:

• The town of Hagetmau : a few kilometers away, it offers leisure activities, including a sports complex and an Olympic swimming pool.
• The Bastide of Geaune : approximately 8 km away, this 13th century bastide is a beautiful architectural find.
• Coudures Lake : a small lake ideal for fishing and a walk in the countryside.
• The spa village of Eugénie-les-Bains : renowned for its thermal baths and its gastronomy, it is a place of relaxation and well-being nearby.

Did you like our article? Find more in our Experiences to Live section.

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