Saint-Rémy, Les Baux, from the Careers of Lights to the Pont du Gard

About this tour

A six-hour circuit through the Alpilles region unveiling three distinct chapters of Provençal heritage. Start in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where Roman relics and the monastery that sheltered Van Gogh sit at the village's threshold. Progress to the Carrières de Lumières, where former stone quarries now host immersive light projections across their cavernous walls. Finish atop the medieval ramparts of Les Baux before descending to the Pont du Gard, the colossal Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon river.

Highlights

• Roman monuments framing Saint-Rémy's entrance
• Van Gogh's monastery refuge and inspiration grounds
• Carrières de Lumières: quarries transformed into art galleries
• Les Baux hilltop village with panoramic views
• Pont du Gard UNESCO aqueduct engineering feat

What to expect

You'll travel by coach through compact Provençal valleys, stopping to walk through three distinct sites. At Saint-Rémy, expect brief stops at outdoor archaeological sites and a monastery courtyard. The Carrières de Lumières involves descending into cool, cavernous former quarries where large-scale projections play across stone walls—plan 45 minutes to wander at your own pace. Les Baux demands comfortable shoes for steep cobbled streets and narrow passages; allow an hour to explore cafés and galleries. The Pont du Gard visit is primarily photographic and structural appreciation from multiple vantage points.

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