Palenque

A recent News from France, an epistle of the French Embassy in the U.S. talks about the "La Cathedral d'Images" in southern France:

"La Cathedral d 'Images offers a unique way to experience the life and work of famed artists by projecting audio-visual installations onto the walls of a former quarry in the South of France. this spring, Picasso will be featured in an exhibit titled "Picasso," which combines light, sound and vibrant larger-than-life Picasso reproductions projected onto the bauxite and limestone walls."

"a unique venue - the jagged uneven rock walls ensure that the painting is never centered or flat and often extends outside of the wall onto the ceilings, floors and ridges of the quarry. As the viewer walks around the quarry, looking at the paintings from different angles, the images appear to vanish or cross-fade, making the entire viewing experience almost three-dimensional"

"La Cathedral was discovered by Albert Piecy in the late 1970s and he used the venue to show his research on the art of photography."

Picasso show runs thru Jan 3, 2010.

www.cathedral-images.com

Has anyone been to the Cathedral of Images? Is it really this neat?

cigalechanta

Yes, I have. A little chilly inside so carry a sweater.
I think there's a picasso show on now.

vahineinbora

Yes, I have been many many times as I am originally from for Provence ... beautiful, very innovative.,in a magical setting.. at the bottom of the medieval city of Les Baux de Provence-
The " Cathedrale d'Images" was created in the Bauxite caves...
a little shall or jacket will do..perfect during these hot summer days -
Enjoy!

StCirq

Yes, it's just below Les Baux. I didn't find it compelling, but if you're in Les Baux it's worth a stop.

Palenque

Well Les Baux itself to me is one of the more amazing sites in Provence - so this is a novel complement once there i guess.

tower

PQ

to echo St. C, I found it mildly interesting but would suggest skip it unless you're very near Les Baux.

stu

Flame123

I would suggest skipping it no matter what. I was so underwhelmed that I would not recommend it. There seemed to be no point, to me at least, to project beautiful classic pictures (we saw Van Gogh) in a setting where you can hardly see them properly. It was overpriced and definitely not worth it.

nuggi

It is wonderful - don't miss it!

zoecat

I saw the Van Gogh exhibit last year. I loved it and highly recommend!

kerouac

I enjoy it on a hot sunny day when I am in the region. It is quite likely that I will go there again in July, since I'll be in Avignon for a week with a rental car.

jrjcolllins

We saw the Van Gogh exhibit last Fall and really enjoyed it.

AprylZA

It's a wonderful explosion of color & music!

I've blogged about it, have a look
http://www.aprylza.com/2009/03/28/picasso-les-baux

kerouac

Yes, I will be happy to return there next month after seeing the video.

I do wonder about the people who don't like the Cathédrale d'Images. I know it is not the most wonderful thing in the entire world, but it is indeed completely different from what one can see anywhere else. What are these disappointed people expecting?

Palenque

Well i will now have to go to see and judge myself

cigalechanta

It's the same thing when they say forget Les Baux. There is no other village like it. Sure there are lots of tourists but the uniqueness of this perche village is why they are there.

Flame123

As one of those "disappointed people" I can say that it has nothing at all to do with forgetting Les Baux. Les Baux was indeed a highlight of our trip and something completely different and quite unique. We loved it. The reason we were disappointed in the Cathedral d'Images is because we were told by many that it was fabulous, fascinating, and an experience. Well we did not find it any of the above and it is/was a personal opinion. When asked, this is what I will relate.