We are so pleased that Lascaux has been recognised as ‘Best European Tourism Projects’ finalist at the British Guild of Travel Writers Awards in 2017!
France may rich with prehistoric painted caves but there is truly only one Lascaux. On November 5th, the International Cave Painting Centre Lascaux located in Dordogne was recognized by the British Guild of Travel Writers Awards jury as one of the top 3 ‘Best European Tourism Projects 2017’.
The British Guild of Travel Writers Awards 2017
The BGTW has approximately 300 members, ranging from writers and editors to photographers and broadcasters. As they travel the world, they see new tourism projects that cover a huge variety. Some cost millions and are well-publicised, whilst others are simpler, but can often have an even larger impact on their community. BGTW Awards have been given to tourism projects for more than 40 years. Recent winners range from the Tren Crucero (Ecuador) and the Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester (UK) to the Loire à Vélo cycle trail (France).
On November 5th 2017, at a glittering gala dinner held at London’s Savoy Hotel, the British Guild presented awards for the best new projects in the UK, the rest of Europe and the world beyond, in the three following categories: ‘Best UK Tourism Project’, ‘Best European Tourism Project’ and ‘Best Wider World Tourism’. This year, among the finalists – the International Cave Painting Centre Lascaux in France!
Lascaux: ‘Best European Tourism Projects’ finalist
Lascaux is the home to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century in all its artistic, digital, anthropological aspects. Discovered in 1940 by four teenagers and decorated with polychrome paintings 20,000 years old, it was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1979. The intricate and mystical paintings decorating the walls are primarily of large animals and local fauna corresponding with the fossil recorded during the Upper Paleolithic time. The drawings are the combined effort of many generations and the complete replica of the original cave is the culmination of three years of work in the Perigord Facsimile Studio. This new space welcomes visitors, inviting them to contemplate the works and experience the authentic emotion felt at the discovery of the cave, to observe and enquire into the reasons for its existence and to reflect on the environmental and cultural context in which it was decorated.
A bit of history
1940 : Discovery of Lascaux
September 12, 1940, on the hill overlooking Montignac village, a team of 4 teenagers made one of the most prestigious 20th century archaeological discoveries. This cave was classified as an Historical Monument in December 1940.
1979 : UNESCO classification
Lascaux is listed as a World Heritage Site and receives the Label UNESCO.
2012 : Introduction of the tour “Lascaux, the International Exhibition”
With the mineral wall molding, the Dordogne General Council, using new technology, carried out restoration and reproduction of the Nave and the pit scene in Lascaux 2.
2016 : Montignac-Lascaux Parietal Art International Centre (CIAP)
The whole Lascaux cave is the essential part of Montignac-Lascaux Parietal Art international Centre. This equipment is focused on Lascaux cave, new image technologies and virtual mediation.
http://www.lascaux.fr/en
Credit photos: ® Dan Courtice
franceuncovered.com 