Visitor Tips Les Baux Carrières de Lumières Fabulous Light Show

If you haven’t seen a techno-fabulous French light show, you’re in for a treat. The French take lights and action to new dimensions: music, drama and imagination.

Carrières de Lumières

A recent visit to Carrières de Lumières was my third experience to see the digital, immersive events that are staged in a former bauxite mine outside the village Les Baux de Provence. This year’s exhibition is Picasso and the Spanish Masters along with a pop culture show, Flower Power. Believe me; the photos don’t do justice to the real events.

…Continue reading here for Deborah’s pictures of this incredible multi-media show located just outside the perched village of Les Baux de Provence. The old bauxite quarry which closed in 1935, was used as a movie stage set in the 1960s. For a short period, the site opened under the name Cathedral des Images, with a decidedly low-tech show. However, it was not until 2012 that the vision for a sizeable audiovisual site came together and the first Culturespace show aired in Carrières de Lumières.

Practical Visitor Information:

Carrières de Lumières website

The best time to visit Carrières de Lumières is early in the morning, or late afternoon after 17h, otherwise, parking can be a bit of a nightmare.

The projection lasts about 35-40minutes, and it is repeated throughout the day. Once you have paid the entry fee, you can stay and watch the loop as many times as you like.

Carrières de Lumières is the largest fixed multimedia installation in France. The 14-metre high walls are the backdrop that 70 video projectors use to broadcast images.

The show is suitable for anyone with mobility issues as are there are few stairs and wheelchair (or baby pram) ramps where necessary.

The interior of the space is fresh, which is fabulous on a hot summer day, but even then it can feel cold, so it is best to bring a sweater or coverup.

Buy your tickets online to avoid the lineup. You can purchase a combination ticket that allows access into the Château des Baux-de-Provence as well.

There is a small café on site for a drink or light snack.

Open daily:
January, March, November and December: 10h-18h
April, May, June, September and October: 9h30-19h
July and August: 9h30-19h30
The last entry is one (1) hour before closing

Les Baux Village

A few years ago now we headed across to Les Baux-de-Provence with our boys, after having seen the spectacular site in the helicopter footage during the coverage of the Tour de France, which unsurprisingly is essential viewing in our house!

Les Baux-de-Provence sits atop a rocky promontory on the Southern side of Les Alpilles not far from the beautiful town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and seems to have simply grown from the rock itself.

Continue reading here for Julie’s descriptions and photos of le Baux de Provence. Plan to wander through the village to the remains of a one-time hilltop fortress. There is a self-guided walk through the chateau, which is like a step back in time to appreciate the power that this castle once held over a large swath of territory. Plan on spending at least an hour, and as Julie wisely recommends you should probably take along something to drink.