Background

Prehistoric Park: Journey to the Magdalenian Era

Explore prehistoric art and Magdalenian life in the heart of the Pyrenees at the Prehistoric Park in Tarascon-sur-Ariège.

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The Prehistoric Park in Tarascon-sur-Ariège offers an immersive experience into the lives of Magdalenian people, who lived 14,000 years ago. Visitors can explore prehistoric art, participate in interactive workshops, and witness life-size models of extinct animals, all set within a stunning Pyrenean landscape.

A brief summary to Prehistoric Park

  • Monday 10 am-6 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-6 pm
  • Friday 10 am-6 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-6 pm

Local tips

  • Plan for at least 3-4 hours to fully experience the park, including the museum and workshops.
  • Check the park's opening dates, as it is typically open from April to early November.
  • Workshops and activities are primarily in French, but English, Spanish, Catalan, and German guides are available.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available on-site.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From Toulouse, take the A61 motorway towards Montpellier, then the A66 towards Foix. Continue past Foix on the RN20, and take the Banat / Gourbit / Parc de la Préhistoire exit before reaching Tarascon-sur-Ariège. Free parking is available at the park.

  • Train

    Take the train to Tarascon-sur-Ariège station. From the station, you can take a taxi or local bus to reach the Prehistoric Park, approximately a 5-minute drive. Taxi fares are around €10-€15 for the short trip.

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Discover more about Prehistoric Park

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.

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