Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Atélier des Lumières Paris

Search

Atélier des Lumières Paris

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 09:12 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Atélier des Lumières Paris

Day before yesterday my DH, 12-year-old granddaughter and I were looking forward to seeing the presentation here. We all agreed that that it was very impressive, but the logistics after entering the venue were somewhat challenging. Not being able to stand easily for an hour led me to the staircase where I sat on a stair halfway up. Many people had to sit on the (really dirty) floor or perch on the base of a column. There appeared to be a row of seats on the upper level at the top of the stairs. The Van Gogh presentation was beautiful and meaningful for those in the audience who were already familiar with his personal and artistic history. Our granddaughter was familiar with some of his paintings, but not with his personal history and was not really gripped by the content. Many children in the audience were restless and noisy during that show. I thought the Japanese presentation was much better. Very impressive. The children near me were quiet and seemed to love the scenes of the ocean and its denizens. The technology here is amazing and I recommend seeing it, but it would be helpful to learn something of Van Gogh's history before seeing it.
MaineGG is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 09:44 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,467
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 4 Posts
Thank you. Very helpful. As one who cannot stand for long times, I wish all venues would install plentiful seating.
Nikki is online now  
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 10:15 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,336
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Very good info. Thanks for posting
TPAYT is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 10:19 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good info, thank you. When we went to the Gustav Klimt exhibit last August, after my eyes adjusted to the darkness I was a bit freaked to see that there was no place to sit, as I had a bad hip at the time and couldn't stand comfortably for a long period of time. I ended up spending half the time hanging onto DH and half the time propped up at the base of a column. Very uncomfortable, frankly, though the exhibit was worth it. I was really, really wishing I'd invested in a walking stick before the trip.
StCirq is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 10:31 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
There are also (what look like) huge cable containers in the middle of the floor. Thing to realise is that the site does not empty - there is a continual flow every 15 minutes, so you may not be able to get seating immediately. I had already walked 10 miles when I arrived, so I sat on one of those things for about 15 minutes, then noticed a lady who was struggling standing and gave up my seat.

Agree MaineGG, the Japanese presentation was wonderful!

I can't emphasise enough - get the FIRST entry!
OReilly64 is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2019, 04:12 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,013
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks ever so much for the poster who mentioned the exhibit several weeks ago. My daughter and I didn't make a reservation and just showed up. No issues. It's an impressive presentation especially for Van Gogh fans and Japanese art and culture. We had wonderful weather in Paris two weeks ago. I carried an umbrella every day so naturally it didn't rain.
Treesa is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 10:06 AM
  #7  
Zvi
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Atélier des Lumières is now one of the best attractions in Paris which offers immersive audiovisual experiences in very high quality. It's not a museum, it's not a real exhibition so don't expect history or background about what you see. There are as mentioned huge cable containers in the middle of the floor on which you can sit, as well as chairs on the higher level. Generally it's a live show and on each wall the projection is different. No point in sitting because you can't catch everything. It is best to keep walking and immerse yourself with the colors and music. Yes it attracts many children and yes, the place is very popular so be sure to book your entries as much in advance and as mentioned above, try to book yourself on the first entry in the morning. Highly recommended!
Zvi is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 10:40 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,824
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Anybody who needs to sit down can go to the hidden café in the far end of the site (under the balcony). It is behind black doors that most people do not dare to investigate. You can sit there as long as you want (no need to order anything) and on top of that, it presents a completely different show from the rest of the place.
kerouac is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 10:48 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Now you tell us!
StCirq is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 10:55 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,824
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Shhhh! It's a secret.
kerouac is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 11:35 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,467
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 4 Posts
A friend of mine was the director of a major art museum. He took us around and I commented on the lack of seats in the galleries. He was surprised and pointed out the benches in the hallway outside the galleries, where you could sit but you couldn’t see the art. I pointed out that i wanted to sit where I could see the art. He was not sympathetic. But many museums, especially older ones, provide adequate seating in the galleries. I always dread going to a place after a major renovation, because I know it is likely to have less available seating.
Nikki is online now  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 03:45 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nikki, I so totally agree about the seating in galleries. And just to rant a bit, it was the first time I have been in Paris museums for many years last summer with friends, and I found it exhausting to try to see the art between folks trying to post selfies they had taken of themselves with the art-kind of distracting and depressing and very few people actually looking at the art! The presence of selfie sticks and the fairly recent phenomenon of many cities having big letters now somewhere in the tourist center spelling out the name of their city are two of my biggest pet peeves about modern travel. I mean, don't people know what city they are in without having it literally spelled out for them....but I guess it feeds the social media feeds.

Oh well, I guess will just grab my cane and yell "get off my lawn" while I am at it! LOL
jpie is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2019, 06:21 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I enjoyed the Japanese presentation a lot - especially the lanterns. I leaned up against one of the metal supports and that was ok. I was there for about an hour. There were a lot of children there and people talking and walking in front of you, but I considered it part of the experience.
powhatangal is offline  
Old Jul 16th, 2019, 07:41 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,093
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We are going to Atelier des Lumieres in Les Baux. Is there the same lack of seating?
Concerned for elderly friend.
Micheline is offline  
Old Jul 16th, 2019, 09:26 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't recall any seating, but you can check out the website and see if it answers your question. A bigger problem could be lack of parking in Les Baux, depending on what time of year and what time of day you're visiting. Having to hike up that hill is more problematic for me than not being able to sit down once I'm there.

Carrières de Lumières - Site officiel - gérées par Culturespaces
StCirq is offline  
Old Jul 16th, 2019, 09:27 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,824
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
There are rock shelves all over the place to sit. It is a natural site and more important to worry about the uneven floor in places.
kerouac is offline  
Old Jul 16th, 2019, 01:30 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just another thing-the site is quite cool being a cave so you might want to have a wrap-the site says it is around 14 to 16 degrees C
jpie is offline  
Old Jul 16th, 2019, 07:02 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 1 Post
There is a parking lot directly across from the entrance. No need to hike to or from Les Baux.
joannyc is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2019, 03:40 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,093
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone.
Micheline is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2019, 02:25 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can you take photos in the exhibit, without flash?
Poconolady is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Your Privacy Choices -