Decorated Caves of the Pyrenees & the Rhone Valley

This tour has been cancelled for 2020. The 2021 departure of this tour is in the planning stages, to be contacted when the tour becomes available, please call 800-748-6262 or email aia@studytours.org.

Thursday, May 21, 2020: Home | Bilbao, Spain
Depart home on independent flights to Bilbao, Spain.

Friday, May 22: Bilbao | Welcome dinner
Transfer from the Bilbao airport (BIO) to the Gran Hotel Domine, situated in the heart of this thriving city. This afternoon, admire both the architecture and the permanent collection of the spectacular Guggenheim Museum during a guided tour. Gather later at the hotel for a welcome drink and dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Gran Hotel Domine for two nights. (D)

Saturday, May 23: Covalanas | Ramales | El Pendo | Bilbao
After breakfast, drive to Covalanas cave with its extraordinary collection of animal images. After an independent lunch in nearby Ramales, continue to El Pendo cave with its nearly nine-meter-long panel of painted figures. Dinner is at leisure in Bilbao. (B)

Sunday, May 24: Ekainberri | San Sebastian | Ainhoa, France
Check out of our hotel and head northeast towards France, stopping first at the Ekainberri replica and its famous panels of horses, the originals dating from the Magdalenian period. Continue to the elegant Basque city of San Sebastian, situated on the Bay of Biscay. Enjoy a guided tour of the town and savor an independent lunch before moving on to Ainhoa. Gather in the evening for dinner. Overnight at the 3-star Hotel Ithurria for two nights. (B,D)

Monday, May 25: Isturitz and Oxocelhaya | Bayonne | Ainhoa
This morning, visit the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya with their bas-relief sculptures and concretions. Stop for an independent lunch and some free time in the lovely city of Bayonne (famous for its cathedral, as well as the ham and chocolate that it produces). Return to our hotel in Ainhoa for dinner. (B,D)

Tuesday, May 26: Gargas | Tarascon-sur-Ariège
Check out of our hotel and drive to Gargas cave, one of the finest in the Pyrenees and known for its collection of more than 200 stenciled hand prints, many of which are mysteriously incomplete. After a group lunch in Gargas, drive to Le Manoir d’Agnes, a 200-year-old French chateau in Tarascon-sur-Ariège. Gather for dinner in the restaurant next to our hotel. Overnight at the 3-star Le Manoir d’Agnes for three nights. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, May 27: Niaux | La Vache | Tarascon-sur-Ariège
This morning, drive a short distance to the cave of Niaux, regarded as one of the most impressive in Europe for its spectacular and well-preserved wall paintings from 14,000 years ago, most of which are found in its “Salon Noir,” situated some 800 meters from the cave entrance. After a group lunch in the village of Niaux, visit the small cave of La Vache, plausibly where the Niaux artists lived, and known as one of the Pyrenees’ richest Magdalenian sites in terms of artifacts and engravings on bone and stone plaques, including representations of bear, lion, salmon, and more. Return to Tarascon-sur-Ariège for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Thursday, May 28: Parc de la Prehistoire | Mas d’Azil | Tarascon-sur-Ariège

After breakfast, visit the Parc de la Préhistoire for an overview of the area’s prehistory through its museum and numerous reconstructions and demonstrations. Later, continue on to the cave of Mas d’Azil, an ancient refuge for humans and animals, including mammoth and rhinoceros. Return to Tarascon-sur-Ariège for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Friday, May 29: Tarascon-sur-Ariège | Arago | Tautavel | Montpellier
Check out of our hotel and drive to Arago cave, situated just outside the village of Tautavel and famous for the discovery of “Tautavel Man,” some of the most significant hominid remains ever found in Europe. After an independent lunch and, time permitting, a quick tasting of the local wine, visit the small but impressive museum in Tautavel before driving on to Montpellier. Dinner this evening is at leisure. Overnight at the 4-star Pullman Montpellier Centre Hotel for one night. (B)

Saturday, May 30: Montpellier | Vallon-Pont-d’Arc
Cavern | Lyon | Farewell dinner
After checking out of our hotel, drive north to what may be the highlight of the journey: the recently opened and spectacular replica of Chauvet cave, Pont-d’Arc Cavern, including a reproduction of its delicately shaded horses. Chauvet is one of the most famous decorated caves in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an independent lunch on site, drive to Lyon. Gather together for a farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at the 5-star Le Royal Hotel Lyon for one night. (B,D)

Sunday, May 31: Lyon | Home
Transfer this morning to the Lyon airport (LYS) for flights home. (B)