Dive into the Val d'Enfer where the raw geology of the Alpilles meets immersive digital art. Discover an experience under stone vaults, away from the summer heat, with direct access to the Château des Baux.
Prices and conditions
September 8, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Visit Carrières des Lumières to see Frida Kahlo's art projected on rock walls. Observe the colors and symbols from Mexican folklore.
Thousands of visitors have already booked their visit: reviews and testimonials
★ 4.6/5 · 12 reviews collected directly from visitors and moderated by Visit Tickets
"Such a wild experience! We saw the Picasso & Frida Kahlo exhibition projected onto the walls. The floor is uneven, so wear closed-toe shoes to avoid tripping. The cool air in the Val d'Enfer is a real relief compared to the heat in the Alpilles."
"It was impressive to see the Château des Baux accessible on foot right after the visit. Knowing that white limestone was mined here until 1880 gives real historical context. The projections in the Dante Room are breathtaking."
"A very beautiful show, especially Ocean: The Integrals. We had to wait a bit for the ticket, but it's manageable if you arrive before 9:30 AM. The tip to turn on night mode on your phone is crucial for taking great photos without disturbing others."
"We combined the ticket for the Carrières des Lumières with the one for the Château des Baux. It was the best decision! The direct access is convenient, and discovering the history of the Val d'Enfer makes the whole experience more authentic and less touristy."
"As a German visitor, I was instantly charmed. The atmosphere is spectacular. Be aware that it's chilly even in high summer; we were warm on the surface, but we needed a sweater to be comfortable under the stone vaults."
"The place is magical, especially for kids. The depth of 60 m in the main hall is impressive. The only downside: the parking was full when we arrived at 10:30 AM in August. Definitely plan to come early to avoid shuttles or a long walk."
"It's a unique place. Knowing that Jean Cocteau filmed here in 1959 for 'The Testament of Orpheus' adds a cinematic dimension to the visit. The projections of Van Gogh on the stone pillars are of rare visual intensity."
"We visited the site as a couple and it felt like a moment suspended in time. The Gauguin, Van Gogh exhibition made a huge impression on our friends who came with us. The mix of raw rocks and digital technology creates a perfect alchemy."
"A very beautiful initiative to have transformed this former quarry. The route is well thought out, but the paths can be slippery. We followed the advice to bring closed-toe shoes and it made all the difference. The natural coolness is a real plus in July."
"An essential stop before heading to Arles or Avignon. The fact that the site is a Classified Natural Site guarantees the preservation of the setting. The immersion in the marine fauna of the Ocean exhibition is stunning; you feel like you're underwater."
"We came after seeing Cocteau's films. Seeing the same locations was moving. The sound atmosphere is immersive, and the price of €16.50 is quite reasonable for the quality of the production. Think about booking the Château des Baux on the same day; it's unbeatable."
"The show is superb, but we found the crowds high in the late morning. We enjoyed the Dante room before the crowd settled in. It's a place worth visiting early to enjoy the total immersion and photos without obstacles."
Everything you need to plan your visit
PMR
Accessible for PMR with precautions due to uneven natural ground.
Family
Suitable for families with robust strollers or carrying recommended.
Audio guide
French, English
Current conditions and forecast to plan your visit
An iconic location for digital art in Provence
Quarry closure
Depth of Dante Hall
Visitors in 2012
Birth of Cathedral of Images
Located at the foot of Baux-de-Provence, the Carrières des Lumières offer an experience where light sculpts limestone rock. This site managed by Culturespaces features changing exhibitions, requiring prior verification of the current theme. The temperature remains constant and cool, an ideal refuge against the Provençal heatwave. Labeled as a 'Classified Natural Site', this unique place combines geology and digital art.
Until 1880, quarrymen extracted blocks of white limestone weighing two cubic meters here to build the Château des Baux. This intense activity left imposing natural pillars and deep galleries under the mountain. The definitive closure in 1935 marked the end of an industrial era due to competition from modern materials. These industrial remnants now form the majestic setting for projections.
The venue was reborn culturally thanks to Jean Cocteau who filmed 'Le Testament d'Orphée' there in 1959, seduced by its mystical beauty. A few years later, Albert Plécy created the 'Cathédrale d'Images' festival in 1977, projecting works onto these gigantic walls. This innovation foreshadowed the site's current digital era. Cinema and art thus transformed this abandoned quarry into a major cultural space.
Since 2012, Culturespaces has taken over management and launched the first modern immersive exhibition featuring Gauguin and Van Gogh. This inaugural event attracted 250 000 visitors, confirming the site's major tourism potential. Old names disappeared in favor of the current name, while preserving the pioneering spirit of the founders. Popular success quickly validated this new cultural direction.
Dante Hall is the heart of the experience, descending 60 meters underground with natural columns seven to nine meters high. These pillars serve as giant screens for projecting large-scale digital artworks. Immersion is total, with light embracing the irregular reliefs of the raw rock once extracted.
The Picasso entrance offers a monumental space set against the mountain, preparing visitors for the discovery of the interior rooms. The small projection room shows excerpts from Jean Cocteau's film, recalling the site's cinematic history. Each zone is designed to maximize the visual impact of projections on natural surfaces. The atmosphere is particularly theatrical and immersive from the moment you arrive.
The projected content varies according to annual exhibitions, always offering a different artistic theme to discover. It is crucial to check the current program before your visit, as themes change regularly. This variability guarantees a renewed experience for loyal visitors to the site in Les Baux-de-Provence.
The quarries maintain a cool and stable temperature year-round, unlike the stifling heat of the Alpilles above ground. Bring a light jacket even in summer to stay comfortable during the hour-long visit. The floor consists of natural rock, which can be uneven and sometimes slippery.
Wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes to avoid any risk of falling on uneven stones. Flat sandals or heels are not recommended to ensure optimal safety in the galleries. If you are visiting with young children, a robust all-terrain stroller is recommended for the gravel path.
The free parking located nearby fills up quickly in July and August, often by 10 am. Plan to arrive before 9:30 am to guarantee a spot close to the entrance and avoid long walks. Combining the visit with the Château des Baux allows you to optimize your day in this popular tourist area.
Digital art and raw geology
Insider tips
The first time slots allow you to enjoy the Dante room without crowds, ideal for photos and total immersion. By arriving right at opening, you avoid the peak crowds at noon and enjoy a more intimate and contemplative experience in the heart of the light projections.
The floor consists of natural rock and can be slippery or uneven. Avoid heels or flat sandals to ensure your safety throughout the visit. Comfortable walking shoes will allow you to navigate easily between the different rooms and underground galleries.
The temperature remains cool all year round in the quarry, unlike the stifling heat of the Alpilles on the surface. Plan for a light jacket even in mid-summer so you don't suffer from the constant cold underground, particularly pleasant but requiring appropriate clothing preparation.
In July/August, the car park can fill up by 10am. Arrive before 9:30am to guarantee a spot close to the entrance. The free parking located right next to the site is very popular in high season, so planning ahead is key to avoid wasting valuable time searching for an empty space.
To photograph the projections without dazzling others, turn off your flash and increase your camera's ISO. This allows you to capture the magic of the colors projected onto the rock walls while respecting the visual comfort of other visitors in the dark, immersive space.
Book your tickets for the Baux Castle and the Quarries on the same day to optimize your tourist itinerary. These two iconic sites are geographically close and offer perfect complementarity between medieval history and contemporary digital art.
If you are visiting with a young child, prefer an all-terrain stroller. The path to the entrance can be rocky and difficult for lightweight models. Ensure your equipment can handle the irregularities of the natural terrain to ensure your family's comfort during the visit.
Don't leave without checking the name of the current exhibition on the official website, as it changes regularly. The projected content varies according to the seasons and the featured artists, so confirming the current program will save you from disappointment related to an exhibition that has ended or not yet started.
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Book my ticketsLittle-known anecdotes
In 1959, Jean Cocteau filmed sequences of 'The Testament of Orpheus' in these quarries, amazed by the beauty of the place and its environment. The director found a unique setting for his dreamlike film, thus immortalizing this place in the history of French cinema.
Albert Plécy created the 'Cathedral of Images' festival in 1977 after discovering the site in 1975, projecting giant images on the walls. This pioneering initiative transformed an abandoned quarry into a major cultural space, laying the foundations of immersive digital art as we know it today.
Until 1880, blocks of 2 m3 were extracted here to build the Château des Baux, leaving these natural pillars. Quarrymen first used iron bars then the croc saw, inadvertently creating this spectacular underground architecture that now serves as a giant screen.
The first exhibition under Culturespaces in 2012 ('Gauguin, Van Gogh') welcomed 250,000 visitors. This massive success immediately proved the potential of the immersive format, establishing the Carrières des Lumières as one of the must-see cultural attractions in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
The Dante room extends 60 meters deep into the mountain, with natural columns 7 to 9 meters high serving as screens. These massive pillars, left by former quarrymen to support the roof, offer an unparalleled projection surface, creating total immersion in the artistic universe presented.
The quarries closed in 1935 due to competition from modern materials, before being reborn as a cultural site. For nearly forty years, the site remained silent and forgotten, until its raw beauty attracted the attention of visionary artists seeking an exceptional setting for their creations.
Three itineraries depending on time available
Explore the medieval villages of Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
From 23,28 €
More must-see experiences in Les Baux-de-Provence
Find the attraction and nearby places to visit
Make time to explore the surrounding area
5 min walk
Dominating the valley, this fortified castle offers an exceptional panoramic view of the Alpilles and the Mediterranean. Château des Baux
On-site
A tasty break in the Van Gogh room for a coffee or a quick snack before heading out to explore the village again. Café des Carrières
10 min walk
Discover the unique geology of the Alpilles and the history of the quarrymen who shaped this lunar landscape. Val d'Enfer
10 min walk
Stroll through the cobblestone streets of this hilltop village listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Baux-de-Provence
5 min drive
Taste AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence wines in an authentic vineyard setting at the foot of the quarries. neighboring vineyards
15 min drive
Historic town where Van Gogh stayed, offering rich heritage and typical Provençal ambiance.
Estimated travel times from the main points in the city
Metro : Les Baux (5 min walk) Bus : Les Baux (5 min walk)
Find a hotel near les Carrières des Lumières
Everything you need to know before your visit
A preview of this exceptional place before your visit
See what to expect during your visit
Quick comparison with other major sites
| Carrières des Lumières | Atelier des Lumières Paris | Mucem Marseille | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of creation | 2012 | 2017 | 2013 |
| Type of experience | Digital art in a quarry | Digital art in an atelier | Mediterranean museum |
| Adult rate | 16,50€ | 17€ | 13€ |
| Visit duration | 1h-1h30 | 1h30-2h | 2h-3h |
| Feature | Classified natural site | Former industrial workshop | Contemporary architecture |
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