About 6km from St-Bertrand in the direction of Mazères-de-Neste, the Grottes de Gargas (45-minute guided tours daily: July & Aug 9.30am–12.30pm & 2–7pm; rest of year by prior arrangement tel 05.62.39.72.39; last tour 45min before stated closing time; €5; group maximum 25 persons) are renowned for their 231 prehistoric painted hand prints. Outlined in black, red, yellow or white, they mostly seem deformed – perhaps the result of leprosy, frostbite or ritual mutilation, though no one really knows why. There are representations of large animals as well.
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