Carrières de Lumières

Immersive art projections inside a former bauxite quarry

A former bauxite quarry converted into one of the most unusual art spaces in France. Each year a new programme of large-scale immersive projections covers every surface of the vast rock chambers — floor, walls, ceiling — with images from a single artist or theme, accompanied by music. The scale makes it feel like standing inside a painting. The programme changes annually and has featured Klimt, Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso among others.

The constant temperature inside (around 15°C) makes it a welcome refuge in summer heat. Allow 45 minutes.

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A story
The quarry was originally dug to extract bauxite — the mineral was first identified in this area in 1821, and the name "bauxite" comes directly from Les Baux. The stone extracted here helped build much of Arles. Today the same rock face that was carved out serves as a 7,000-square-metre canvas for light.

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