The Amédée Lemozi museum, included in the Pech Merle visit
Who was Amédée Lemozi
A priest from Cabrerets and amateur prehistorian, it was he who encouraged three teenagers from the village to search for the passage to the deep galleries in 1922, and who documented and published the paintings in The Temple-Cave of Pech-Merle in 1929. He was already excavating the shelters and caves of the causse before the discovery. The museum bearing his name brings together some of this material and what has been found since in Quercy. The full story is in history and discovery.
What you’ll see there
Stone tools, bones, and artefacts that tell the story of 350,000 years of occupation on the causse, with panels that place the cave’s paintings in the long timeline: the Palaeolithic era of the painters, then the Neolithic and the Metal Ages up to the Gauls. For a child who has studied prehistoric periods in school, it’s a great way to put it all in order. The introductory film recounts the discovery with archive footage; it’s dated, but it’s best watched before visiting the cave, not after.
How to fit it into your visit
Film, cave, museum—in that order—for 2 to 2.5 hours on-site. See visit duration. The museum is also what’s left when you arrive without a reservation on a busy day: better than nothing, but not the cave. It can be freely photographed, unlike the galleries.
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum included in the cave ticket?
Yes, the ticket from the Prehistory Centre grants access to the cave, the introductory film, and the Amédée Lemozi museum. On an excursion, entry is included—see booking and tickets.
How long for the museum?
Between half an hour and three-quarters of an hour, longer with children who read the information panels. The full experience—film, cave, and museum—takes 2 to 2.5 hours; see visit duration.
Who was Abbé Lemozi?
The priest of Cabrerets, an amateur prehistorian, who encouraged the 1922 discovery and published the cave’s first study in 1929. His role is recounted in history and discovery.