On June 14, the Grotte du Grand Roc celebrated its 100th anniversary.
A century ago, while conducting research nearby at the Laugerie Basse site, Jean Maury noticed a trickle of water flowing from the cliff. Suspecting a cavity behind this small opening, he spent two years digging a tunnel through the rock, eventually unveiling this geological wonder. Fascinated by this extraordinary discovery, he undertook work to open the cave for public visits a few months later, marking the beginning of a new era for our region.
It was thanks to this discovery, the excavations of the surrounding prehistoric sites, and the opening of the National Museum of Prehistory that tourism truly began to flourish in Les Eyzies. This dynamic attracted curious and passionate visitors from all over France and beyond, whose arrival was further facilitated by the expansion of France’s railway network.
