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Located at the Aven d'Orgnac Grand Site, the Cité de la Préhistoire invites you on a 350,000-year journey through local archaeological finds. It’s a must-see stop before or after your visit to the cave!
Just a stone's throw from the Gorges de l'Ardèche, Aven d'Orgnac is a unique site in several respects: classified for its scientific value, it has been awarded the Grand Site de France label for its sustainable management of an exceptional natural site. It offers a wide range of activities in the same area, enabling visitors to understand both the geological evolution of the area and its occupation by man over the course of time, notably at the Cité de la Préhistoire.
The Cité de la Préhistoire - a modern, fun-filled museographic space with Musée de France accreditation - provides an insight into the millennia-old history of the earth and its inhabitants. To visit the Cité de la Préhistoire is to experience a moving face-to-face encounter with our ancestors, and to better understand who these not-so-distant men and women were!
In this museographic space, spanning 350,000 years of human adventures - from the Middle Paleolithic to the First Iron Age - authentic objects from excavations in the Ardèche and northern Gard regions are presented in a redesigned museography featuring multi-player touch tables, engaging sound effects, explanatory videos, life-size illustrations and more. A modern, emotionally-charged visit that offers a fresh look at the remains on display, and depending on the season, the chance to try out prehistoric activities such as fire, flint and darts!
>>>> Discover the Grand Site de France
Continue your visit to the Grand Site de France with the Grotte d'Orgnac, which adjoins the Cité de la Préhistoire.
Its gigantic volumes and the beauty of its subterranean landscapes are astonishing. Giant palms, translucent fistulas, eccentrics, candlesticks, organ cases, columns, ochre-coloured draperies, clay fir trees... coiled and balanced under ceilings up to 55 metres high.
The Grotto and the Cité de Préhistoire: two reasons to marvel at the past!
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Home supplement
Active tours and workshops available for school children and students. By appointment only - at least 2 weeks notice required. Please contact Philippe Barth: Tel (+33) 475 386 806.
Spoken languages
- Dutch
- German
- English
- Spanish
- French
Labels and rankings
- Famille Plus
- "Accueil Vélo" : Cyclists Welcome label
- Museum of France
Sort
- Museum
Themes
- History
- Sciences and technology
- Arts and culture
- Prehistoric
- Archeological
- Anthropology
- Natural sciences
- Ethnology
- Natural history
- Local history
- Geology
Opening
From 01/02 to 15/11/2026 daily.
From 19/12/2026 to 03/01/2027 daily.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th.
From 18/12 to 31/12/2027 daily.
Closed exceptionally on bank holidays.
Benefits
Services provided
- Educational visits
- Coach access
- Motorhomes allowed
- Themed tour
- Shop
- Set down on-site for groups
- Wi-fi
- Tourist brochures
- Tourist information
- Booking of general amenities
- Restaurant
- Guided tours
Equipment
- Film room
- Charging station for 2 electric wheels
- Coach parking
- Parking nearby
- Car park
- Public WC
- Auditorium
- Bar
- Defibrillator
- Sustainable development
- Waste management
- Photovoltaic panel
- Picnic area
- Play area
- Exhibition space
- Air conditioning
- Lift
- Toilets
Booking
Prices
Full price: 16.50 € Reduced price: 13 € Child (6-17 years): 11 €. Free entry for children under 6. Group rate available for 20 people or more.
Means of payment
- Credit transfer
- Check
- Bank/credit card
- Cash
- Culture Pass
- Travellers Cheque
- Pass’Région Jeunes
Capacity
- Maximum group size: 150
- Minimum group size : 20
Activities
- Product tasting
- Temporary exhibition
- Theatre
- Activity
- Children's entertainment
Access
Environment
- Close to GR footpath
- In the country
- Village -2 km away
Tips
On a self-guided or guided tour, with tactile tables and mini-workshops, discover with your family the life of our ancestors from 350,000 BC to the 1st Iron Age. Complementary workshops and demonstrations: secrets of fire, prehistoric weapon hunting, etc.