Carrieres des Lumieres

 Yesterday was probably the last really hot day -+30 - that we will have while we’re in France. Dawn has really gotten into holiday mode sitting on the terrace reading her books.

Today we opted for the rather long and winding road to Les Baux de Provence - over 100 kilometres south of Cairanne. This is a very touristy location as much for its perched château and village as it’s now defunct bauxite mines. But we had come for an art show - One we have seen in this location several times before but always different - the Carrieres des Lumieres. This is a sound and light show projected on the very cleanly shaven mine walls, ceilings and floors of the once bauxite mines.

This season’s show featured the works of Dutch masters from Vermeer to Van Gogh. These are not just static pictures. They manipulate the images to bring them to life - the pictures swirl and change around us - and of course there is a music soundtrack. Dawn finds this experience a little overstimulating so we found a good spot to sit and watch the show take place around us. 

Interestingly, one of the last images featured was of Van Gogh’s Starry Night which was the subject of my last jigsaw puzzle - not exactly high art.

This a very interesting area, topographically, which adds to the tourist draw and makes the driver cautious.

No sooner did we return home and we got a good soaking from another turbulent thunderstorm. Once again I’m not certain this will do the grape harvest any great service. But we were safe indoors so let her at it!