Abri de Cap Blanc
France · Europe · ✦ UNESCO World Heritage Site
The finest monumental Ice Age sculpture on view anywhere — a 13-metre frieze of near life-size horses
Age
~15,000 yrs
Period
Magdalenian
Setting
Rock shelter
Art form
Rock reliefs
Discovered
1909
Status
Open (Guided Visits)
A rock shelter above the Beune valley holding the greatest monumental sculpture of the Ice Age: a 13-metre frieze of horses, bison and deer carved in deep relief, some figures nearly life-size. The skeleton of a young Magdalenian woman — 'Magdalenian Girl' — was found buried at the foot of the frieze in 1911.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ 13-metre sculpted horse frieze
- ◦ Near life-size high-relief horses
- ◦ 'Magdalenian Girl' burial site
Depicted Subjects
HorsesBisonDeer
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
BookingAdvance booking required — places are limited
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.