There are rumours another
cave near Lascaux has been found, but it will not be made accessible to the public.
This news gave rise and
unlocked the memory door for me to mention “How
did we get approval to visit the caves of Lascaux back in 1967 when they were
already closed to the public four years earlier?” Following up the recent eight posts about wildlife and animal encounters, it is
fitting to speak of this since the cave art depicts mostly animals rendered by
unknown Masters, some 17,000 plus years ago. There were eleven of us from
Toronto, Canada. Ten artists and one
philosopher and metaphysicist. The artists included a sculptor, dancer, couple of painters, writer, poet
etc.
We arrived at Montignac,
the town where Lascaux caves are located in the Dordogne, on a chilly and wet
November morning in 1967. Whenever finding myself in another country and
needing to know something about a town, I always go to a local bar/bistro. In Europe especially barkeepers are well
informed. So, that’s what we did. When I
went to the local bar and asked the barkeeper if he knew who the guardian of
the caves was, he said, “Fermez!” (“Closed!”)
Yes, I said, but who has
the keys? After consuming a few ‘reds’ and eggs marinated in vinegar, we
learned it was the former Mayor. When
asked for his address, the barkeeper said, “Not so fast!” But when he learned
my colleagues were artists who had come all the way from Canada especially to
visit the caves, he mellowed somewhat. I promised we would come for lunch and
dinner at his place for two or three days.
He was content, and gave me the former Mayor’s address.
The house was surrounded by a stone wall,
with a long-handled pull bell at the door. Turned out the former Mayor was
occupied, but could spare 15 minutes the next day. When I appeared again, just
like the barkeeper had, in answer to my request he said “Non! Non! Ce n’est pas possible!
Fermez already four years”! But when he heard more about our small
group, being artists and a philosopher, and all the way from Canada, he became
pensive. “All artists, are you? Especially to see the caves?"
Eventually he gave permission and not only
that, arranged for a very qualified guide.
We each received helmets with flashlights, and also another flashlight
to hold. Thus began for us an unforgettable exploration of discovery over the
next two days in the ‘closed’ caves of Lascaux. In a much earlier post (Nov 6,
2008) we mentioned our visit, but now we have shared the story of how we obtained permission to
experience the ‘closed caves of Lascaux’.
Henri van Bentum
