Montignac is a picturesque and historic town on the Weser. It has nice buildings dating mainly from the 14th to 18th centuries. Its biggest attraction are the nearby Lascaux caves with prehistoric paintings.
Although most tourists come to this area mainly for prehistoric heritage, the same town is also very interesting. Its most characteristic sight are the stone houses along the river bank. The main street, Rue de la Pègerie, is full of 14th-century houses with characteristic balconies.
In the past, Montignac Castle was one of the most important strongholds of Aquitaine. Today it is mostly in ruins. Interesting sights are the Hospital of St. John, which now houses the Tourist Information Center, the 18th century convent of St. Klara and the Priory of St. Jerzy, which is the seat of ateliers and craft workshops.
The highlight of Montignac is the Lascaux cave complex and the Lascaux II Cave. Due to the unique Palaeolithic paintings covering their walls, they have been entered on the UNESCO list. Because the crowd of visitors could destroy these extraordinary works, the Cave of Lascaux (Lascaux IV) was created as a faithful replica of the caves. There is an interpretation center there, where you can learn about the history and symbolism of the paintings.
