Carrières des Lumières

In the heart of the Alpilles, near the tourist village of Les Baux-de-Provence, the monumental Carrières des Lumières host multimedia shows that are unique in the world, projected onto the immense 14-meter high walls.

QUARRIES RENOWNED SINCE ANTIQUITY

The limestone of Les Baux has been a popular building material since ancient times. It is found, several kilometers away, on the walls of the houses and monuments of the city of Glanum, then on the ramparts and the walls of the castle of Les Baux. At the beginning of the 19th century, with the help of industrial development, quarries multiplied in this region of the Alpilles. The Grands Fonds quarry became an essential site of exploitation. The activity intensified after the discovery of a red ore rich in aluminum, called bauxite in reference to the village of Baux-de-Provence.

FROM THE GRANDS FONDS TO THE CARRIÈRES DES LUMIÈRES

The appearance of new, more economical construction materials competed with the stone extracted from the Grands Fonds quarry. The quarry declined and finally closed in 1935. However, this unique space attracted the attention of artists, who found inspiration and used its unique mineral universe as a film set.

We know it today as the Carrières des Lumières. Jean Cocteau shot several scenes from his film Le Testament d'Orphée in 1959, and Albert Plécy, editor-in-chief of Le Parisien Libéré and president of the Gens d'Images, inaugurated the Cathédrale d'Images, projecting giant images onto the smooth walls.

A SHOW RENEWED EVERY YEAR

In 2012, the former underground mine was renamed Carrières des Lumières. It became a cultural site of primary importance in Provence. Each year, a new exhibition combining sound and light is held in the old rooms, the large white rock walls hosting new images. Art becomes light, with digital projections and music that invite visitors into a unique immersive universe, designed to approach art differently. This striking show also offers a welcome haven of coolness in summer.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The Carrières des Lumières are accessible to people with disabilities. You can easily park in the public parking lot in Maillane, or if it is full, you can use the parking lots in the village of Les Baux-de-Provence.

The Carrières des Lumières are a growing success. We invite you to prepare your visit by booking your tickets online. You can also opt for the pass combining the visit of the Carrières de Lumières and the Chateau des Baux-de-Provence.

Accessible for disabled