Prehistoric Park: Journey to the Magdalenian Era

The Prehistoric Park in Tarascon-sur-Ariège is more than just a museum; it's a journey back in time to the Magdalenian era. Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, the park offers a unique blend of education and entertainment across a 13-hectare site. The park is divided into several thematic areas. The Grand Atelier is a 2,500 m² museum space that introduces visitors to prehistoric art through films, objects, and life-size replicas, including reproductions of the Salon Noir of the Niaux cave and the Marsoulas cave. Another area, the Giants of the Ice Age, features life-size models of animals from 30,000 to 10,000 years BC, such as woolly mammoths and steppe bison. Interactive workshops provide hands-on experiences, allowing visitors to learn how to hunt, carve flint, light fires, dig like an archaeologist, and paint on cave walls. These workshops cater to all ages and provide a fun, educational way to connect with the past. The park also features a restaurant with panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and waterfalls, serving regional cuisine with local products. The Prehistoric Park was created in 1994 by the Ariège Departmental Council to promote the region's exceptional prehistoric heritage. Today, it stands as one of the most visited tourist sites in the Ariège, attracting around 60,000 visitors each year.