Thot Park: A Prehistoric Adventure

Thot Park, located in Thonac, is an engaging interpretation center dedicated to prehistory, designed as an introduction to or a complement to the Lascaux International Centre visit. The park offers a unique experience that combines history, science, and technology to explore the relationship between humans and animals during the Cro-Magnon era. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour that typically lasts about an hour, discovering various spaces that delve into the connection between humans and animals. A highlight is the 3D animated film that revisits climate cycles over two million years and their impact on the evolution of humans and animals, providing context for why Cro-Magnon people settled in the Dordogne. The park features a "time mirror," an augmented reality activity that offers an interactive encounter with animal species familiar to Cro-Magnon humans, such as mammoths, cave bears, spotted hyenas, and megaloceros. A museum display showcases the gestures and techniques of prehistoric artists, while a unique black lighting method reveals the engravings in the Nave of Lascaux. To complete the experience, an animal park allows visitors to compare animals depicted at Lascaux with their living descendants, including aurochs, deer, bison, and Przewalski's horses. Thot Park also offers participatory workshops for all ages, covering topics like cave art, archaeological digs, and flint knapping. The park provides several visitor services, including a picnic area, gift shop, restaurant snack options, and free parking. It is also accessible to visitors with mobility issues, with accessible routes to the museum and western park.