the chauvet cave or chauvet-pont-d'arc cave is near vallon-pont-d'arc, in the ardèche département, in southern france. it became famous in 1994 when paleolithic artwork was found on the walls. there were remains of many animals, some which are now extinct. also some footprints of animals and humans were found. the cave is one of the most significant prehistoric art sites, like lascaux, altamira, and cosquer.