The area around Les Baux-de-Provence is known as the Val d’Enfer, or Hell Valley. This mystical site was formed by centuries of erosion, sculpting impressive limestone rock formations. Its dramatic setting made it the perfect location for stone quarries for generations. Since 2012, Culturespaces Studio® has brought one of them back to life: Les Carrières de Lumières. Through an amazing multimedia show inside the former quarry, the interior transforms into an immersive exhibition that combines video and sound. This year, the spotlight is on Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo, alternating with Le Petit Prince starting in April. A definite must-see, if you ask me.
Original Canvas
I still remember my first visit to Les Carrières de Lumières. It was the height of summer in 2018, and one of the themes was flower power. One tip: buy your ticket online in advance to avoid queuing, especially during the festive season. My family and I had no idea what to expect as we stepped through the entrance. But the moment we stepped through the door to enter the heart of the quarry, we were overwhelmed and needed more eyes and ears to take it all in. A vast space opened up before us, with irregular walls and pillars where blocks of stone had been hewn so many years ago. It created an original canvas, and we literally stood inside the art, with the images cascading across every uneven surface and music filling every corner. It was a fantastic experience!
Pierre du Midi
About two centuries BC, Pierre des Baux was formed in Les Alpilles. This small mountain range surrounds Les Baux-de-Provence, a recognised Most Beautiful Village of France. Known as ‘Pierre du Midi’, this slightly shelled white to pale yellow limestone gained popularity from 1800 onward. It led to the establishment of many quarries, including the Grands Fonds quarry, a predecessor to Carrières de Lumières. The quarry closed in 1935 due to a decline in orders. However, its magical interior has since served as a background for many art projects. And in 2012, the village of Les Baux-de-Provence officially converted the quarry into a cultural space. This was the birth of Les Carrières de Lumières.
Stone Cathedral
What foresight it was to repurpose this monumental space! The former Grands Fonds quarry is the perfect venue for showcasing art in a unique way. Of course, there is the quarry itself. With its immense space and 14-metre-high walls, the interior kind of looks like a stone cathedral. Then, when you add light and music, it becomes a spectacular experience that brings art to life. Since its launch in 2012, the themes have changed each year in February, highlighting masterpieces by renowned artists such as Cézanne, van Gogh, Kandinsky, Dalí, Monet, and many others.
Immersion
This year, I visited early and happened to arrive just as the new themes were being introduced: Picasso and Kahlo. In April, these two artists will alternate with the enchanting universe of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince. So if you want to be sure, it’s best to check online which show is on when you go, as it changes daily. As the artists of Culturespaces Studio® work with top-notch, high-performance technology to create these extraordinary audiovisual shows, expect complete immersion. Giant images of the artists’ paintings floated under me, next to me and above me, all accompanied by great music. For a moment, I felt as if I were walking through the history of art, and I absolutely loved it! However, no description really does it justice; this is something that you have to experience for yourself.
