Chauvet rock art no longer under wraps: Caverne du Pont d'Arc now open, from an inspirational exterior to a thoroughly accurate interior.

The architecture firm Xavier Fabre/Vincent Speller, in collaboration with Atelier 3A, have designed the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc. The cave is built at the top of the village of Vallon Pont d'Arc, in the heart of the Razal site (8 hectares). There are five complementary hubs in the architectural project: the facsimile, discovery centre, learning hub, events space and the restaurant-shop hub.

The architects decided to make the structure with buildings integrated into the site topography, just above the ground, so that they are as unobtrusive as possible. The various entities are arranged in the shape of a bear's paw print, in reference to the bears that hibernated in the cave.

Visit the Chauvet section:

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/chauvet/index.php

Visit the Book Review for 'Return to Chauvet Cave' by Dr. Jean Clottes:

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/books/chauvet_cave.php

Caverne du Pont d'Arc will be open 365 days a year. To avoid waiting, book ahead. Adults 13 Euros; 10 to 17-year-olds 6.50 Euros; under-10s free.  The official website gives details on location and access, opening hours and admission fees, and contact and reservation information:

http://en.cavernedupontdarc.fr/discover-the-pont-darc-cavern/