This year's show at the Carrières de Lumières

[Kathy]

We're just back from 10 days in Bonnieux... wonderful weather 9 of the 10 days. My parents traveled with us for their first time to the south of France, so we really tried to show them the very best of everything and probably did a lot more than we would have done if it was just the two of us. They loved it!!

One thing we did was visit Les Baux to check out the new show at the Carrières de Lumières. This year's show is "Klimt and Vienna - A Century of Gold and Colours," which is the sixth show I have seen. (Most of the shows I have seen several times.) I was skeptical beforehand, partly because I didn't know Klimt and also because it wasn't at all related to Provence. (The other "artist" shows have all had some tie to the area.) I came away feeling that this was the best show so far. The colors are amazing, and the creative people behind the show continue to push how they use the technology. The use of movement was outstanding and I loved the music. My parents wouldn't enjoy an art museum, but they loved this too.

In addition to the Klimt show, there's another short program called "Invisible Cities"... also outstanding!

If you are anywhere near St. Remy or Les Baux this year, I'd really encourage you to visit the Carrières de Lumières. You really have to experience the show to understand it, as I believe it's totally unique in the world. (Be sure to wear shoes and socks and take a sweater or jacket, regardless of the time of year.)

I'd be happy to answer any questions--

Kathy

 

[Kathy]

Here are some photos I took last week of this year's "spectacle." The images are projected on every surface inside the huge limestone quarry. I like the pictures where you can see a person, as it gives you a sense of the size of the limestone walls. I usually stand in one place where I can see the whole length of the cave. I absolutely love this experience and although I didn't know Klimt before and he isn't an artist of Provence, I thought this show was fantastic.

 

[Ann]

Hi Kathy. I had read about the show and decided that we should probably go while we're in Apt. We were introduced to Klimt in Vienna, and I love his use of color. Thanks for the review -- now it's a must!

 

[Pauline]

I saw signs for the show last year but couldn't imagine what it would be like. Thanks for posting the photos. It looks fabulous.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

We're just back from 10 days in Bonnieux... wonderful weather 9 of the 10 days. My parents traveled with us for their first time to the south of France, so we really tried to show them the very best of everything and probably did a lot more than we would have done if it was just the two of us. They loved it!!

One thing we did was visit Les Baux to check out the new show at the Carrières de Lumières. This year's show is "Klimt and Vienna - A Century of Gold and Colours," which is the sixth show I have seen. (Most of the shows I have seen several times.) I was skeptical beforehand, partly because I didn't know Klimt and also because it wasn't at all related to Provence. (The other "artist" shows have all had some tie to the area.) I came away feeling that this was the best show so far. The colors are amazing, and the creative people behind the show continue to push how they use the technology. The use of movement was outstanding and I loved the music. My parents wouldn't enjoy an art museum, but they loved this too.

In addition to the Klimt show, there's another short program called "Invisible Cities"... also outstanding!

If you are anywhere near St. Remy or Les Baux this year, I'd really encourage you to visit the Carrières de Lumières. You really have to experience the show to understand it, as I believe it's totally unique in the world. (Be sure to wear shoes and socks and take a sweater or jacket, regardless of the time of year.)

I'd be happy to answer any questions--

Kathy

Kathy,
Sounds like another wonderful trip. I'm familiar with Klimet but not the show you describe. It sounds incredible. I think we're going to try for quick visit to France while we're in Oxford in the fall. Perhaps Uzes or thereabouts. Maybe we'll make it to this show. Thanks for sharing.
BTW, are you still planning to go to Morocco? I know not Europe so not really for this Board...

 

[Kathy]

I was interviewed this week (by email) by Susan Manfull of The Modern Trobadors blog about the Klimt show at the Carrières de Lumières, and she used several of my photos from last week. The post includes some great background about the caves and the technology involved.

NEW SHOW AT CARRIERES DE LUMIERES:
BE ENVELOPED BY THE MUSIC, MOVEMENT, GLITTER, AND BRIGHT COLORS OF ARTIST GUSTAV KLIMT

The Manfulls are a bit like us, an American family who lived in the Luberon (Lourmarin) for a time with a young daughter. This is a really well-researched blog... usually one weekly post. I highly recommend it for those of you interested in Provence.

Kathy

 

[Kathy]

BTW, are you still planning to go to Morocco? I know not Europe so not really for this Board...

Yes! We just booked our trip... six days/five nights in December. We'll fly over from Marseille-- just two hours-- and are considering this our "Moroccan sampler." Two nights in Marakkesh, two nights in the Atlas mountains (with some hiking), and one night in Essaouira on the coast. There will be five of us, and we've just turned the whole trip over to a specialty tour company in Morocco... doing a private tour. Looking forward to this!!

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Yes! We just booked our trip... six days/five nights in December. We'll fly over from Marseille-- just two hours-- and are considering this our "Moroccan sampler." Two nights in Marakkesh, two nights in the Atlas mountains (with some hiking), and one night in Essaouira on the coast. There will be five of us, and we've just turned the whole trip over to a specialty tour company in Morocco... doing a private tour. Looking forward to this!!

Kathy,
Could you tell me the name of the tour company you're using or send me a pm.? Just yesterday Ron asked me if we were going to Morocco. We have some time at the end of our Oxford sojourn. Our rental ends w/e of Dec 12 and we return home Dec 21. I'm still leaning towards Nice but if we leave the rental a littel earlier, we may be able to combine.
I probably shouldn't use this board for this but I'm not on FB.
Thanks. And I'm going to check out the blog.

 

[Kathy]

Lisa, I just sent you a PM... now this thread turns back to the Carrieres de Lumieres! (Sorry everyone!)

 

[Pauline]

I think the "Other Countries" forum could safely handle a thread on Morocco, because I would like to go there too. Maybe we can consider our geographical reach to include European countries and countries "near" Europe?

 

[Cindy R]

This looks so interesting. I'm glad you let us know about this Kathy. I've just added this to the places we want visit while staying in Bonnieux. We leave 2 weeks from tomorrow. So excited!

 

[chachalaca]

Late to the thread, but headed to the carrieres shortly. This may be a dumb question, but this is a light show in a quarry-so, all day long you can see the lights...right?

Are there suggested times of day to go? I see tickets that include the chateau -worth it? We have never been to Les Baux although we've been in the area many times. Suggestions for anything appreciated!

Laura

 

[Kathy]

This year the show is "Michel-Ange, Léonard de Vinci, Raphaël. Les Géants de la Renaissance". In addition, there's a short program inspired by the work of Jules Verne, which is technically pretty amazing.

I saw this year's show three times last month with our groups. It's not my favorite, but it's still impressive and you should go. It's not a light show really... images are projected on all the surfaces within the huge old quarry, sometimes with motion. And you're surrounded by music. There are a very few places to sit (sort of stone benches on the side... dusty), but you can move around the quarry and stand in various places or just choose one place to stand.

You can enter the show at any time and stay as long as you like.

They do get some bus tour traffic there, and parking can be complicated-- though they have added another parking area. The place is so big that you never really feel it's too crowded inside. We arrived at about 11:30 this year. If you were there between 12 and 2 (lunchtime), you might find it less crowded.

I've only been up to Les Baux once-- and that was in 2004. It is a big tourist spot and I see many tour buses as we drive past, but I hear it's impressive.

Maussane is just five minutes away and a good place to have lunch on the square... many options.

Enjoy your time here.

Kathy

 

[chachalaca]

Thanks, Kathy. Do you think purchasing tickets ahead is a smart idea or uneccesary?

 

[Pauline]

We went to Les Baux with @Chris a few years ago. All I can remember is shopping for quilts (no longer made in France!! but they had some nice ones from India) and having a nice lunch. We were too lazy to walk up to the castle and Chris had seen it before. Since then we have driven by a few times and it is a pretty spot but seems a bit crowded.

 

[Kathy]

As far as the tickets, we've been going for years in May and September with our groups, and we've never bought tickets in advance. You might have to wait in a ticket line for five minutes, though this could depend on the time of year. This year they had added a second ticket window.

 

[chachalaca]

Kathy,
Be honest, do you think this is a site worth seeing?
Laura

 

[Kathy]

It's definitely unique and very memorable. This year's show wasn't my favorite. If you want to make a day trip over to Les Alpilles to do other things, then I would include it. But if you didn't get there this time, it's not the end of the world... you could get there another time. There is so much to see and do in a week in Provence... I don't think anything is a "must see." It all depends on what appeals to you and how you want to structure your time there. After all our time in Provence, there is still so much we've never seen or done.

Kathy

 

[Pauline]

Kathy,
Be honest, do you think this is a site worth seeing?
Laura

Do you mean Carrières de Lumières or the town of Les Baux to be worth seeing?

My two cents is that Les Baux is very touristy and could be skipped. And I have never been to Carrières de Lumières because while it sounds interesting, it isn't the type of thing I do on vacation in France. This is what I like to do - find obscure ancient Roman sites like the Barbegal Aqueduct and Mill.

 

[Pauline]

@Kathy was answering the same time as me. Well said Kathy!