For anyone interested in prehistoric times, the Ariège has some wonderful sites. The caves of Niaux, built 13,000 years ago still contain their incredible wall paintings thought to date from between 11500 abnd 10500 B.C. At Tarascon is the ‘Parc de l’Art Préhistorique which demonstrates how caves were formed by water flowing over the rocks. Here too you can see how prehistoric tools were made from flint and how spear throwing and fire making developed. The department boasts the most significant concentration of prehistoric caves or grottes in France. The Grotte de Lombrives is the largest in Europe whilst at Labouiche, between Foix and the Bastide de Sérou, you can visit the longest navigable subterranean river in Europe.