Post by Ella
On to Avignon with a delightful stop in Les Baux-de-Provence to climb around the Chateau and then an immersive experience in an old cavernous granite quarry.
The drive was lovely. It felt like Van Gogh’s world. How much more spectacular it would have been without asphalt roads and cars. And if only it were spring with fields of blooming poppies and sunflowers.
Aside: Navigation is a breeze. Our Toyota Yaris is equipped with Car Play (as most cars are these days) so I can display my google map navigation on the screen. Grubb can’t claim he didn’t hear me say “at the roundabout, take the third exit towards D570N” because Ms Google Nav Voice comes through loud and clear. And he can see the blue line on the screen.
At the Chateaux climbing the ankle twisting, knee popping stone “steps” up to the towers for the views while being buffeted by the wind kept these doddering bodies alert.
On the way back through the old village, I got a new fangled mocha and chocolate muffin. A sugar explosion to keep me moving forwards towards the Carrières des Lumières, a 10 minute walk down the road. Here, in an old granite quarry, we were immersed in 3D splendor with Ingres, Delacroix and Gérômes accompanied by appropriate and sometimes explosive music. The effects were riveting, every inch of stone wall, ceiling and floor used as a screen. Different paintings faded in and out with smoky animations. At the end, paintings appeared to be hung on walls as in a museum.
Charlie and I saw that quarry when we were in that area, I think around 2001. It was quite strange, but we really enjoyed it, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if it has been expanded since then.
Wow. Did you also see a light show there? I hadn’t realized that technology was developed way back then 😅
Yes, they did have the light show way back then!