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Lascaux III
Lascaux III

Cap Sciences, Bordeaux, from 13 October 2012 to 6 January 2013

On 12 September 1940, four teenagers from the small village of Montignac, in the Périgord region, discovered polychromatic frescos in a cave near the Vézère river. Lascaux quickly became a world famous cave. In 1955, a study revealed that the carbon dioxide produced by visitors was corroding the rock face as well as the calcite. Then, in 1960, Max Sarradet, Curator of French Monuments, observed the development of green stains on the walls, due to colonies of microalgae introduced by tourists and the artificial air regeneration system. In April 1963, the State Ministry in charge of Cultural Affairs had the cave closed to the public. It was only 20 years later, in 1983, that a carefully executed facsimile situated 200 metres from the original, and baptised Lascaux II, opened its doors. Today, this replica is in turn showing signs of fatigue. Therefore, in 2008, a restoration programme was set up to deal with the issue. Lascaux II is indeed a victim of its own success. In parallel with this restoration, new replicas of Lascaux are being created at Montignac - panels eventually designed to be part of an ambitious multimedia exhibition, under the aegis of the General Council of the Dordogne region. The Lascaux exhibition - also known as Lascaux III - will tour the world for several years, acting as an ambassador for the Dordogne.

More information
11-565802
Charenton-le-Pont, Médiathèque du patrimoine et de la photographie
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