Today, the Carrières de Lumières is one of the most popular attractions in les Baux-de-Provence. But before becoming a reference location for immersive art, it went though the ups and downs of the history. From the Carrière des Grands Fonds to the Carrières de Lumières The Carrière des Grands Fonds first opened in the XIXth century. At that time, and thanks to the industrial development, the Baux stone – a white limestone rock typical from the Baux-de-Provence – became essential to built new premises. However, as the industry kept growing, new affordable construction materials, such as concrete and steel, took over from the Baux stone. As a consequence, the Carrière des Grands Fonds had to close in 1935. Later in 1959, Jean Cocteau, a famous French filmmaker and writer, decided to shoot here “Testament of Orpheus”. The place is the perfect set to travel through time and space! In 1977 the quarry took a radical change in direction when the scenographer Joseph Svoboda potted an incredible artistic potential: the large stone walls could be the ideal set for a light and sound show! This is when the first audio-visual shows of the Carrière des Grands Fonds began. The Carrières de Lumières and major artists In 2012, the Carrière des Grands Fonds was renamed as Carrières de Lumières. Since that time, the visitors may discover every year a brand new exhibition that litteraly plunges them into works of art. After Gauguin, Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, Leonard de Vinci, Chagall, and even Bosch, it is time to put works of Picasso in the spotlight. The exhibition ,,Picasso et les maîtres espagnol” (Picasso and the Spanish masters) recounts almost a century of Spanish painting. From Goya to Picasso and Rusiñol, we explore the Spanish masterpieces of the XXth century. Discover the exhibition ,,Picasso et les maîtres espagnols” (Picasso and the Spanish masters) at the Carrières de Lumières from March 2, 2018 to January 6, 2019. Carrière de Lumières, Route de Maillane 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, France.

On April 1st evening and April 2nd noon, 2018, we offer the traditional Easter menu. Book your table now.   MENU ORGANIC EGG In a herb crust Local green asparagus, cooked and raw Cream of morel sauce FILLET OF SEA BREAM Fennel in all its forms Thyme jus SLOW COOKED SHOULDER OF LAMB Creamy and crispy aubergines with fresh goats’ cheese and black olives Garlic jus Cheeses from Josiane Deal, MOF 2004, Lou Canestéou CHOCOLATE SPHERE Madagascan vanilla Strawberries and Breton shortbread with garden thymeMenu of 1st of April 2018 evening and 2nd of April 2018 noon, 69 euros per person   To book please go to our restaurant page or call +33 4 90 54 32 54 or send an email to reservations@benvengudo.com

Nested in the heart of the Alpilles mountain range, Benvengudo hotel is a preferred location for the organisation of your events. Inside its natural park of 4 hectares, it hides a conference room called the Orangerie. Once upon a time there was the Orangerie… Formerly used to protect fruit trees and plants from winter frost, the Orangerie has kept all its historic charms. Large windows let the sunshine in and its fireplace warms up the atmosphere. The Orangerie offers a splendid view on our Mediterranean garden. An idyllic place for your events The Orangerie can host up to 50 people. If you want, you can entirely privatise it: accommodation, swimming pool, tennis court, Orangerie room, and gourmet restaurant with customized meal cooked for you by our chef Thomas Voisin. For further information, have a look at our website! Whether it is for corporate event or family reunion, you will fully enjoy the incredible Provençal atmosphere and spend a unique moment. Beyond the Provençal landscapes, lavender fields and olive groves, warm welcoming and enthusiasm of our entire team will make this instant even more magical. You can contact us by phone at +33 4 90 54 32 54 or by email at reservations@benvengudo.com, we will be very pleased to answer your questions!

Provence is attached to its Christian roots and puts traditions in the spotlight. Thus, it is not surprising that we celebrate Epiphany. Originally, Epiphany symbolizes the arrival of the Three Kings to Jesus’ birthplace. The Three Kings were called Gaspard, Melchior, and Balthazar. They were guided by a star: the star of Bethlehem. According to the legend, Balthazar followed this star to the Baux-de-Provence! The Lords of the Baux, who pretended to be Balthazar’s descendants, thus added a 16-pointed silver star to their emblems in reference to the star of Bethlehem. “Au hasard Balthazar!” was their motto. Nowadays in Provence, we eat a King Cake for Epiphany! It is a delicious round brioche tasting orange blossom and decorated with candied fruits that represent the precious stones offered by the Three Kings. Today, our Chef presents you his secret recipe and gives you little tips to make your cake even tastier! INGREDIENTS Leaven8g of baking powder – Tips from the Chef: use fresh baking powder (reminder: 25g of fresh baking powder = 7g of dehydrated baking powder) 20g of Gruau flour 60g of warm water (about 40°C)Dough200g of Gruau flour 50g of white sugar – Tips: white sugar helps baking powder to ferment. 50g of melted butter – Tips: prefer raw butter or raw cream butter; it is very rich in taste! 2 beaten eggs – Tips: use organic or free-range eggs if possible. 12ml of orange blossom water – Tips: orange blossom water comes from the distillation of bitter of orange flowers, it will give a delicate flavour. 1 tbsp of honey – Tips: use local honey! a zest of untreated orange a zest of untreated lemon 1/2 tsp of fine salt – Tips: it is essential! It adds great flavour, improve the batter elasticity, and gives a bright colour to the cake.Topping10ml of milk to brown the cake 2 tbsp of orange jam 1 tbsp of honeyDecorating the cake At Benvengudo, we buy all our candied fruits at Lilamand in Saint Rémy de Provence. The know-how of this wonderful confectionary has been passed down for five generations – this place is full of history!40g of granulated sugar – Tips: You can easily buy it in department stores A few candied-fruit peels Some candied fruits 1 lucky charm – Tips: it is better to use a ceramic charmDIRECTIONSStir baking powder, flour, and water to make the leaven; let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, stir all the dough’s ingredients, incorporate the leaven, and stir until the dough becomes homogeneous – Tips: this step is essential to raise your dough. Pour the batter into a greased crown-shaped pan with a hole in the middle, add the lucky charm and cover the dough. Let it stand in the fridge for one night, it must double in size. Preheat the oven at 160°C. Bake at the centre of the oven for 13 minutes, then remove it from the mould, turn the cake over, and brush it with milk. Bake in the centre of the oven for another 20 minutes. Leave it cool slowly. Stir orange jam and honey and baste the mixture on the cake, this will help your decorations to stand. Decorate the cake with grain sugar and candied fruits – Tips: Be creative!And now, you just have to savour it. Enjoy! © C. Feraud-ADT04

An ancient tradition … The thirteen desserts tradition is a very ancient ritual widely spread all around Provence. It is about the sharing of thirteen desserts and sweets on Christmas Eve. This tradition is associated with many symbols. The number thirteen refers to the number of guests present at the Last Supper: Jesus Christ and his 12 Apostles. While the type and composition of desserts may differ, their number and meaning remain the same. … that has remained intact through the ages Thus, there are four types of dried fruits and nuts, two different nougats, some dates, some fresh fruits, and a traditional cake called “pompe à huile”. The dried fruits and nuts represent the four mendicant religious orders. Walnuts or hazelnuts stand for the Augustine, dried figs refer to the Franciscan, raisins correspond to the Dominican, and almonds symbolise the Carmelites. Each category of fruits has the same colour as the robe of the different religious orders. Then, there is the traditional cake called “pompe à huile”, always placed in the middle of the table. It is made of fine flour, orange blossom water, brown sugar and olive oil. According to custom, it must not be sliced with a knife but it should be broken just like Jesus did with the bread. Remember, your family will be ruined in the following year if you slice the cake! You will also find two different types of nougat on the table: one is white and the other one is black. The white one is made of hazelnuts, pine nuts, and pistachio nuts, and symbolises the Good. On the contrary, the dark nougat represents the Evil and is flavoured with honey and almonds. Dates refer to the Christ as they also come from Orient. Finally, the last components of the thirteen desserts are fresh fruits: oranges, grapes, clementines, watermelon, and winter apples and pears. If you are still hungry after that, you can add quince jam and even some traditional Calissons from Aix-en-Provence!   If you want to discover this tradition, come at Benvengudo hotel for the Christmas Eve dinner and enjoy these much-vaunted thirteen desserts! Christmas in Provence

Christmas holidays are just around the corner and we, at Benvengudo hotel, have gathered ideas for you. We have selected the must-see exhibitions and attractions in the Baux-de-Provence and nearby areas, to visit during your stay with us.   The “Carrières de Lumières” exhibition (Quarries of Lights), temple of immersive art This exhibition shows works of art projected on 7000m² of limestone walls to the rhythm of Luca Longobardi’s music. This year, Bosch, Brueghel, and Acimboldo, three great painters of the XVIth century, are put into the spotlight. Come and discover their masterpieces and secrets they unveil during a breathtaking light and sound show. Don’t wait too long, the exhibition ends on the 7th of January 2018! “Noëls Insolites” – not just a simple Christmas Market, but a real festival! Only one-hour drive from Baux-de-Provence, the small city of Carpentras will take you away from the beaten tracks to discover an incredible festival “Noëls Insolites”. Taking place from 16th to the 31st of December 2017, this biggest street event in Southern France gathers more than 250 artists and technicians to offer you over 150 various performances. In addition to these shows, you can also discover city’s traditional Christmas market, nativity figurine salon and skating activities, all available until the 7th of January 2018. Phot’Aix 2017 – photography festival, both local and international Pass by Aix-en-Province (situated 1-hour drive from Baux-de-Provence) to visit Phot’Aix 2017 and its two photography exhibitions. Taking place until the 30th of December 2017 in the city streets, they bring together 5 French and 5 Chinese artists to promote the art of contemporary photo. Take also the chance to explore Aix-en-Province’s Christmas market – one of the biggest in Provence region.   Come and enjoy our Christmas and New Year’s Eve offers to spend a few days at Benvengudo and discover the events and activities around! https://benvengudo.com/en/offers.html   Photo : © Culturespaces / Erick Venturelli

On December 31st, we propose you a New Year’s Eve menu in the colours of Provence. Special offers from €359.50 per person including: – 2 nights in a double room (choice of 30 and 31 December or 31 December and 1 January) – Breakfasts – Les Baux de Provence Pass (including entrance to the Château des Baux, entrance to the Carrières de Lumières with the immersive Cézanne and Kandinski show and entrance to the Yves Brayer Museum) – Dinner on 31 December in the evening  To book please go to our booking engine and select a minimum of 2 nights including 31 December, or call +33 4 90 54 32 54 or send an email to reservations@benvengudo.com