The Thot Park offers a unique glimpse into humanity’s prehistoric past. Visitors can explore ancient art techniques and interact with life-sized animal recreations through captivating augmented reality. With wheelchair accessibility, picnic areas, and nearby dining options, the park provides an immersive educational experience complemented by regional culinary delights. Whether seeking an engaging museum visit or a deeper dive into Paleolithic wonders, the Thot Park promises to transport guests to a fascinating era long gone.
Key Points
-
The Thot Park offers an immersive experience exploring prehistoric art and wildlife, featuring augmented reality animations and a black lighting process revealing engravings.
-
The park is wheelchair accessible and provides amenities like a picnic area, refreshing fountains, and a museum showcasing the gestures and techniques of prehistoric artists.
-
Visitors can interact with majestic prehistoric creatures like mammoths and cave bears through the park’s augmented reality technology, fostering a deeper connection to the past.
-
Nearby towns offer Périgord specialties, including renowned duck and goose dishes, rich wine and cheese selections, as well as opportunities to purchase souvenirs and local crafts.
-
The entry price starts at $12.51 per person, and visitors should check availability for starting times before visiting the park.
Overview and Pricing
The Thot Park offers an introduction to cave art, complementing visits to Lascaux IV. Entry price starts at $12.51 per person. The activity is non-refundable and valid for 1 day.
Visitors should check availability for starting times. The park provides an overview of prehistoric art and wildlife, with features like augmented reality animations and a new black lighting process revealing engravings from the Nave of Lascaux.
Guests can explore an animal park, comparing Lascaux paintings with living descendants. Nearby, Montignac, Thonac, and Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère offer Périgord specialties and grocery options.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Sarlat La Caneda.
Accessibility and Amenities
The park is wheelchair accessible, allowing all visitors to explore its offerings.
The park is wheelchair accessible, allowing all visitors to explore its offerings.
Amenities include:
-
A picnic area where guests can enjoy lunch
-
Refreshing fountains and drink dispensers to quench thirst
-
A museum area showcasing the gestures and techniques of prehistoric artists
-
A new black lighting process that reveals engravings of the Nave of Lascaux
-
An animal park comparing Lascaux paintings with living descendants like aurochs, deer, and Przewalski’s horses
These features enhance the immersive experience, catering to the needs and interests of all visitors.
Prehistoric Art and Wildlife Discoveries
Visitors to the Thot Park embark on a journey through time, discovering the captivating world of prehistoric art and wildlife.
The park features augmented reality animation, allowing visitors to interact with species encountered by Cro-Magnon, such as mammoth, cave bear, spotted hyena, and megaceros.
The museum area showcases the gestures and techniques of prehistoric artists, while a new black lighting process reveals the engravings of the Nave of Lascaux.
Visitors can explore an animal park comparing Lascaux paintings with living descendants, including aurochs, deer, bison, Przewalski’s horses, and wolves.
Augmented Reality Interactions
As visitors explore the Thot Park, they’ll be captivated by the augmented reality animations that bring prehistoric creatures to life.
Through this immersive technology, guests can interact with:
Guests can interact with majestic mammoths, powerful cave bears, cunning hyenas, towering megaloceros, and fierce Przewalski’s horses through immersive augmented reality.
-
Majestic mammoths roaming the landscape
-
Powerful cave bears prowling their dens
-
Cunning spotted hyenas stalking their prey
-
Towering megaloceros (giant deer) grazing in the distance
-
Fierce Przewalski’s horses thundering across the open spaces
These augmented reality experiences allow guests to witness the animals that once coexisted with our Cro-Magnon ancestors, fostering a deeper connection to the park’s prehistoric themes.
More Great Tours NearbyMuseum Area and Prehistoric Art Techniques
Beyond the immersive augmented reality experiences, the Thot Park’s museum area showcases the gestures and techniques employed by prehistoric artists. Visitors can examine the tools, materials, and methods used in creating cave art. A detailed exhibit illuminates the prehistoric artists’ processes through interactive displays:
| Technique | Materials | Gestures |
| — | — | — |
| Engraving | Bone, antler, stone | Incising, scraping |
| Painting | Ochre, charcoal, animal fat | Brushing, finger painting |
| Stenciling | Hands, plant leaves | Blowing, pressing |
| Drawing | Charcoal, ochre crayons | Sketching, outlining |
This educational experience offers a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and artistic expression of our Cro-Magnon ancestors.
The Thot Park’s new black lighting process dramatically reveals the intricate engravings adorning the Nave of Lascaux.
These captivating etchings, long hidden from view, now come alive under the specialized illumination:
-
Intricately carved mammoths, with their towering forms and curving tusks, seem to move across the stone canvas.
-
Bison, their powerful muscles and shaggy coats rendered in striking detail, stand guard over the ancient space.
-
Horses, their manes flowing and legs poised in motion, convey a sense of energy and vitality.
-
Felines, their lithe bodies and predatory gazes, radiate a sense of primal power.
-
Enigmatic symbols and abstract shapes add an additional layer of mystery to this prehistoric masterpiece.
Animal Park and Painting Comparisons
Complementing the mesmerizing engravings within the Nave of Lascaux, the Thot Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore an animal park that directly compares the prehistoric paintings to their living descendants.
Visitors can observe species like Aurochs, deer, bison, Przewalski’s horses, and wolves, which were depicted by Cro-Magnon artists thousands of years ago.
This immersive experience allows guests to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the ancient cave paintings and the animals that still roam the region today, providing a truly enriching and educational visit.
Local Dining and Shopping Options
While exploring the wonders of the Thot Park, visitors can also indulge in the local dining and shopping options nearby.
Périgord specialties abound in the restaurants of Montignac, Thonac, and Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. For groceries, there are Intermarché and Spar supermarkets in Montignac, and a local grocery shop in Thonac.
The options include:
-
Savoring the region’s renowned duck and goose dishes
-
Sampling the area’s rich wine and cheese selections
-
Browsing for souvenirs and local crafts
-
Stocking up on fresh produce and regional delicacies
-
Experiencing the vibrant local culture and hospitality.
Ask Away
Can I Take Photos During the Visit?
Visitors are generally allowed to take photos during their visit, though some restrictions may apply in certain areas of the park. It’s best to check with staff for any specific photography guidelines.
Are Guided Tours Available for a Deeper Experience?
Yes, guided tours are available to provide a deeper experience. Knowledgeable guides offer insights into the park’s prehistoric art and wildlife, enhancing visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the Thot Park’s unique offerings.
How Long Does the Typical Visit Last?
The typical visit lasts around 2-3 hours, allowing visitors to explore the various exhibits and immersive experiences at their own pace. Many guests find the park offers a fulfilling half-day outing.
Are There Any Age Restrictions or Discounts?
There are no age restrictions, but discounts are available for children, seniors, and students. Admission starts at $12.51 per adult, with reduced rates for various age groups to make the experience accessible for all visitors.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?
Visitors can bring their own food and drinks to the park. There is a picnic area available for guests to enjoy their meals. Refreshments are also provided on-site through water fountains and drink dispensers.
Final Words
The Thot Park offers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience, blending prehistoric art and wildlife in an engaging augmented reality setting. Visitors can explore ancient techniques, interact with life-sized recreations, and discover the captivating world of our ancestors. With its accessibility, amenities, and proximity to local dining options, the Thot Park is a perfect destination for both education and cultural exploration.
You can check availability for your dates here: