One fundamental aspect we identified is the family dimension of this exhibition. For many of our travellers, visiting ‘Welcome to the Prehistos’ is part of a broader experience, that of a cultural discovery suitable for all ages.

Children marvel at the reconstructions of prehistoric habitats, while parents appreciate the scientific rigour and quality of the information presented. This dual interpretation, both entertaining and educational, perfectly matches our vision of cultural tourism as a place for sharing and exchange in Bordeaux.

How does this exhibition use the domestic setting to humanise prehistoric life?

The exhibition ‘Welcome to the Prehistoric Era!’ breaks with the usual clichés by transposing Palaeolithic life into an anachronistic and familiar domestic setting, that of a vintage 1950s/1960s-style flat.

This scenography humanises prehistoric life through three main mechanisms:

• Identification with a family structure: instead of presenting anonymous figures, the exhibition features a ‘funny tribe’ called the Prehistos. This mixed family consists of Bon’Hom (a Sapiens father), Opinex (a Neanderthal mother) and their two children, allowing their daily life (hunting, gathering) to be presented as a ‘normal’ family life.
• Interactive exploration of the home: Visitors are invited to make themselves at home: they can open cupboards, rummage through drawers and look inside appliances to discover texts, objects and videos. This playful approach replaces the usual museum distance with a tactile and immersive experience.
• The correspondence between modern rooms and ancient activities: each room in the flat serves as a backdrop for explaining a facet of prehistoric life by drawing parallels with our modern lives:
  • The living room: human evolution is presented in the form of a family tree, with skull casts displayed ‘proudly on the sideboard’ like family portraits.
  • The kitchen: this is the place for exploring food and preservation methods, symbolised humorously by a stuffed reindeer sitting in the middle of the table.
  • The entrance: this space compares the tools and clothing of Palaeolithic hunters with our current equipment to highlight their ingenuity.
  • The bedroom: the subdued atmosphere of this room is used to explore cave art and the imagination.

The aim of this staging is to show that, although techniques differ from one era to another, fundamental human intentions remain the same.

Informations pratiques pour votre visite

WHEN AND HOW TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION?

The exhibition ‘Welcome to the Prehistoric Era’ is open to the public at Cap Sciences, Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan in Bordeaux.

Admission fees for the ‘Prehistos’ exhibition

• Full price: €6.50
• Reduced price: €5

For our customers who wish to combine this tour with other experiences in Bordeaux, we offer hop-on hop-off tours, allowing you to visit Bordeaux at your own pace.

So, are you ready to embark on this extraordinary journey through time? During your next stay in Bordeaux, don’t miss this unique adventure into the heart of prehistory.