Following in the footsteps of prehistory: an archaeological train journey from France to Barcelona

The railway as Ariadne's thread towards our Mediterranean origins

The Mediterranean coast, between France and Catalonia, is a veritable open-air museum for lovers of prehistoric archaeology. Thanks to an efficient rail network, this temporary corridor is accessible through a journey that is as enriching as it is comfortable. The TGV and Spanish trains now make it possible to create an ideal itinerary to discover the treasures of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic, founding periods that saw humankind transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer to sedentary farmer.

The railway route: an efficient backbone

The ideal trip starts in Paris with the InOui TGV, which connects the capital directly to Barcelona in 6 hours 25 minutes, or from other major French cities such as Lyon, Montpellier, or Perpignan. The alternative, more suited to archaeologists wishing to explore several sites, is to take the TGV to Narbonne and then follow the coast on regional trains via Perpignan and Girona, thus offering considerable flexibility.

From decorated caves to early villages: the must-sees of the route

Upper Paleolithic Jewels

Leaving Paris, a must-see first stop is the prehistoric caves of the Ardèche (connection in Valence, then bus). The Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave and its perfect replica reveal exceptional cave paintings dating back 36,000 years. Further south, between Narbonne and Perpignan, the Tautavel cave is home to the famous Tautavel Man (450,000 years old), one of the oldest representatives of Homo erectus in Western Europe.

The Catalan route and the routes of Spanish Catalonia also offer important sites, including:

• The lake site of La Draga (Banyoles), a remarkable 7,400-year-old Neolithic settlement with an exceptional state of preservation of its organic materials.
• The Arbreda Cave and the Reclau Viver Cave, near Banyoles, accessible from Girona by bus (human occupation from -40,000 to -15,000 years ago).

Neolithic expansion from the Mediterranean

Continuing toward Barcelona, the Neolithic remains multiply, a testament to the gradual settlement of populations. Don't miss:

• The Moleta Cave (Matadepera), with its evidence of Magdalenian parietal art.
• The prehistoric mines of Gavà (accessible by commuter train from Barcelona), where variscite was extracted 6,000 years ago.
• The Gavà Mines Archaeological Park offers a faithful reconstruction of Neolithic mining techniques.

The megalithic world: between dolmens and menhirs

Between 4500 and 2500 BC. Around 2000 BC, the Neolithic and then Chalcolithic populations of the Franco-Catalan corridor built impressive stone monuments that today mark our railway route. From Narbonne, a trip to the Corbières is a must to discover the extraordinary dolmen complex of Saint-Eugène and Laroque (accessible by regional train to Montredon and then by bus). In Aude, the Fades dolmen in Pépieux (24 meters long), one of the largest in France, illustrates the architectural ingenuity of late Neolithic builders.

Entering Catalonia, the Empordà corridor offers an exceptional concentration of megalithic monuments, including:

• The megalithic complex of Alt Empordà (from Figueres, 20 minutes by bus), with its passage dolmens such as Barranc or Creu d'en Cobertella, dating from the 4th millennium BC.
• The Dolmen and Menhir of Quer Afumat de Capmany (3rd millennium BC), accessible by shuttle from the Figueres-Vilafant station, are evidence of Mediterranean stone cults.

These enigmatic monuments, associated with funerary and astronomical practices, constitute the earliest monumental architecture in Western Europe. The railway line serves as an ideal platform for this "megalith route," allowing us to understand how Neolithic cultures permanently transformed Mediterranean landscapes and organized their territories around these symbolic and identifying markers.

The beginnings of navigation in the Mediterranean

Arriving in Barcelona, the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia presents an exceptional collection of Neolithic canoes and boats dating between 7000 and 5500 BC.

Practical guide for the archaeologist traveler

The InterRail pass is a cost-effective option for multiple trips. Book your visits to the caves several weeks in advance, as access is often limited. Spring and autumn offer ideal conditions for this trip, combining pleasant weather and moderate crowds.

This well-planned train journey will take you back over 400,000 years of human history in a well-planned week, while minimizing your carbon footprint. It's an ideal way to understand how our ancestors gradually transformed the Mediterranean coast into the cradle of civilization.