The prehistoric paintings of Pech-Merle display three artistic phases. An archaic one, represented in particular by the punctuated horses, an intermediate one embodied by human figures, among other things. Finally, a more recent phase, figured by the engravings. The cave has two floors of galleries, only about 1 900 feet (600m) of which are open to the public. Thanks to the analysis of the pollens taken from the cave, its episodic occupation in three distinct passages, interspersed with long periods of abandonment, is now proven.