January 12th, 2012 | 
Author: It is no secret that the Dordogne has been a popular holiday resort amongst lovers of fine cuisine, warm weather and relaxing family breaks for some time. Thousands of Brits travel to the region every year with the aim of enjoying the sun, sights and local markets.
However, what the region is arguably less well-known for is its fascinating history and depth of prehistoric monuments. Any tourists with an interest in ancient history would absolutely love exploring the wealth of attractions celebrating the prehistoric history of the town.
In July 2010, tourism chiefs set up a Prehistory Welcome Centre, with the aim of providing as much information as possible to those interested in discovering this side of the Dordogne.
This centre, called Centre D’Accuiel de la Prehistoire, is based in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and acts as the perfect starting point for those hoping to visit the best of Dordogne’s history-based sites.
Open from 10am – 6pm in the summer, the centre features a tourist welcome and information centre, an education centre and plenty of literature on the various attractions in the area. There is also a research centre and a cultural community hub which holds regular events. Visitors are often treated to a series of entertaining slideshows, timelines and demonstrations to help them plan what they want to do during the stay in the region.
The exhibit on the origins of the human species is reportedly a particularly noteworthy element of the centre. What’s more, entry is free for all ages and the centre is open all year round.
It is perfectly located just a mere stone’s throw away from the local Prehistoric Museum. The museum boasts some of the most important Paleolithic collections in the whole of France. It also contains and impressive collection of sculpture, engravings and stone-based tools. This would appear to be the natural second step for those hoping to spend the day discovering history.
However, before leaving the Welcome Centre, it is advisable to ensure that you pick up the map detailing the locations of prehistoric caves, archaeological sites and habitation areas. This will allow you to plan your journey of learning and wonder much more efficiently!
Those hoping to learn as much as much as they can about the region could do a lot worse than ask local residents for more information. A lot of those living in the area were tourists once themselves at one point before deciding to settle down in the area. Many long-term residents are extremely proud of the area’s historical importance and are likely to be more than happy to direct curious tourists in the direction of the region’s most enthralling attractions.
Even those who don’t consider themselves particularly interested in ancient history could easily enjoy a trip to the Prehistory Welcome Centre and the nearby museum. The two attractions are great ways to spend a rainy day in the Dordogne and have certainly help put the region firmly on the map as a diverse tourist attraction which can be enjoyed by the whole family.
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