In search of caves - Sunday 29 June

Time to explore further afield.

This time we thought we'd explore some caves/grottos.  First however to Roussillion.  Yes again.  It is so pretty that we had to have our fill of it.

Today was an exhibition of old tractors and vintage cars.  Which explained the haystack tractor we saw previously.  We were treated to the sight of rather large vehicles making their way through narrow windy streets.  No room for pedestrians!

We couldn't decide where to have breakfast in Roussillion so skipped it all together.  We did however visit some cool shops (many dug into the side of the hill) before the next leg of the the journey.

Les Baux

Grottoes du Thouzon beckoned.  Unfortunately when we arrived, they were closed for at least two hours until the next tour.  Fortunately I had a cunning plan and we ended up at les Carrieres de Luminaires at Les Baux.  Check out their web site http://carrieres-lumieres.com/en/home

Wow!

Stunningly different part of the country. s soon as we arrived we knew there would be something special.

Some of many sculptures

The whole site is an old and massive quarry which has been converted to show films plus light & sound art exhibitions.  The spaces are huge and the ceilings are many stories high.  When you walk into the first exhibition it takes some time for your eyes to adjust, but they do it's amazing!  We couldn't take photos or videos, so please go to the site. 

Essentially they have multiple projectors projecting coordinated and changing images on all surfaces of the quarry including the massive pillars, walls and floor.  This was accompanied by a musical sound track.  We saw three shows, Klimt the Austrian artist, imagery from old Austria and one with cool imagery of playing cards and cogs and clocks (very steam punk/Alice).

We also saw briefly in another room a movie by French director Jean Cocteau - the Temptation of Orpheus.  It was actually filmed in the quarry in 1959.

We left feeling very pleased we had made the effort.  By now it was around 1:30 and we hadn't eaten yet, so thought we'd head into Les Baux.

Oh la la!

Apparently most of France shuts down on a Sunday, but not this gloriously touristy perched village.

Les Baux

Lunch at Les Baux

Completely different stone to Roussillion and the rest of the Apt region.  Shops are mainly dug into the sides of the mountain.  

We had lunch first with an amazing tomato salad (five varieties) which has made me want to grow  heirloom varieties at home.  The we set off to explore - feeling our calves from the day before.

Allan literally got soft-soaped into buying some tourist wares.  This gorgeous young Frenchwoman massaged his hand with this special soap and essential oils till it was smooth...  He couldn't say no after that.

any colour as long it's white

Some unusual shops there.  One with only white clothing, one filled with lollipops (reminding me of Ben wanting haard candy on our last trip).

Candy plus

View from Les Baux

Overall a great day!