Grotte du Pape

Grotte du Pape is an archaeological cave in Brassempouy, a small village in the Chalosse area of the Landes department in southwestern France. The name comes from a nearby farm called "au Pape," on the road to Gaujacq — it has nothing to do with any actual pope, despite the name inviting that guess. This is one of Europe's most significant Paleolithic sites, famous above all as the place where the celebrated Lady of Brassempouy was unearthed.

How was the site discovered?

The first prehistoric traces surfaced by chance in 1880, during quarrying work nearby. Between 1880 and 1882, excavations at the cave brought up stone tools, animal bones, and a handful of artistic objects. Work resumed from 1890 to 1894 under Joseph de Laporterie and Albert Léon-Dufour, and the most extensive 19th-century excavation campaign followed between 1894 and 1897, led by the noted prehistorian Édouard Piette together with Laporterie. Over those years the team cleared nearly forty meters of sediment from the cave — an extraordinary scale of excavation for the period.

What was found inside the cave?

In 1894, five ivory figurines were discovered at the cave's entrance, the most famous being the so-called "Lady with the Hood" (Dame à la Capuche), now known worldwide as the Lady of Brassempouy. It ranks among the oldest known realistic depictions of a human face, carved during the Gravettian culture roughly 26,000 to 24,000 years ago. The original is kept today at the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, where it is one of the museum's centerpiece objects. In total, nine female figurines carved from mammoth ivory were recovered at the site — an unusually rich haul for a single location.

Grotte du Pape also stands out because its sediment layers span nearly every major Upper Paleolithic culture, from the Châtelperronian to the Magdalenian, pointing to more than 30,000 years of intermittent human occupation. Very few sites in Europe preserve such a complete record of the Stone Age in one place. Given the importance of the finds, the cave is listed as a French historic monument.

What can visitors see today?

The cave itself sits within a protected archaeological site, and the adjoining Préhistosite center in Brassempouy was built for visitors, offering reconstructions, replicas of the finds — including a copy of the Lady of Brassempouy — and background on the excavation methods and history of the dig. It's a natural complement to a visit to the cave, since the original artifacts remain permanently in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

How do you get there?

Brassempouy sits in the heart of Chalosse, between Dax and Aire-sur-l'Adour, in a quiet farming corner of the Landes. A car is the most practical way to reach it; the nearest towns with rail connections are Dax and Mont-de-Marsan. The surrounding countryside rewards a longer stay too — Chalosse is known for its gentle landscape, vineyards, and traditional southwestern French cooking.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn bring mild weather and typically full opening hours at the Préhistosite. Summer, especially August, draws more visitors. In winter, opening hours may be reduced, so it's worth checking current times before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the original Lady of Brassempouy at the cave? No — the original figurine is held at the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Brassempouy displays a replica along with material explaining the discovery.

Where does the name "Grotte du Pape" come from? From a nearby farm called "au Pape" on the road to Gaujacq — the name has no connection to any pope or the Vatican.

How old is the Lady of Brassempouy? The figurine dates from the Gravettian culture, roughly 26,000 to 24,000 years old, making it one of the oldest known realistic carvings of a human face.

Is it worth visiting the cave itself, or is the Préhistosite enough? For the full picture, combine both — the archaeological site shows the geology and topography of the discoveries, while the interpretation center explains their history and significance.