Institute field trip 2017, 10.05.2017

Day three, the day most people have probably been looking forward to for a long time. Not only because we visited a centuries-old castle, a spectacularly illuminated quarry and a national park, but because it is always something very special when we, research-loving people living in Vienna, get to see the sea.

Photo of the village Le Baux de Provence

© Ernst Kozeschnik

Photo of the village Le Baux de Provence

A short walk through the village of Les Baux de Provence led us directly to the ruins of the Château de Baux de Provence.

the photo shows the castle ruins of Le Baux de Provence

© Ernst Kozeschnik

the photo shows the castle ruins of Le Baux de Provence

This former castle was built on a rocky outcrop in the tenth century.

Photo of a catapult on the castle ruins

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of a catapult on the castle ruins

The interesting constructions of the exhibited catapults led to a lot of considerations in our bunch of mechanical engineers and reminded us of one or the other mechanics lecture.

Photo of the first discovery of bauxite in Le Baux de Provence

© Ernst Kozeschnik

Photo of the first discovery of bauxite in Le Baux de Provence

In the village of Les Baux de Provence we were also able to marvel at a bauxite rock. Bauxite owes its name to the place where it was first found, where it was discovered by Pierre Berthier in 1821.

Photo of the art light show at the Carriere de Lumiere

© Ernst Kozeschnik

Photo of the art light show at the Carriere de Lumiere

We walked to the next highlight - Carrières de Lumières. This old quarry in Baux de Provence has been decorated with a choreographed light show featuring striking paintings by three well-known 16th-century artists. The walls of the great halls were projected, among other things, with the enigmatic-grotesque triptychs by Bosch, the village festivals of the Brueghel dynasty or the ingenious compositions of flowers and fruits by Archimboldo.

Group photo from the picnic in the Camargue

© Dagmar Fischer

Group photo from the picnic in the Camargue

In order to process the great insights from historical times, the journey continued to the Camargue National Park, where a typical French picnic was scheduled. Packed with dozens of fresh baguettes, a variety of excellent fromages and jambons and a bottle or two of wine, we found an excellent spot for a well-deserved refreshment.

Photo of flamingos in the Camargue

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of flamingos in the Camargue

As soon as the French snack was eaten, there was a short walk through the reeds to the long-awaited sea. France immediately showed itself from its best side and showed us a horde of flamingos in the middle of the sea, apparently waiting for us.

Photo of flamingos in the Camargue

© Aurelie Jacob

Photo of flamingos in the Camargue

However, some of us spotted flamingos that were a little bit better to see.

Group photo at Cafe Van Gogh in Arles

© Dagmar Fischer

Group photo at Cafe Van Gogh in Arles

Photo of Cafe Van Gogh in Arles

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of Cafe Van Gogh in Arles

The day ended with a city tour in Arles, during which the café terrace of the Cafe van Gogh,

Image of the Van Gogh painting: Cafe de nuit

© Wikipedia

Image of the Van Gogh painting: Cafe de nuit

which served as a template for the world-famous painting by Vincent van Gogh,

Photo of the amphitheater in Arles

© Aurelie Jacob

Photo of the amphitheater in Arles

and the Roman arena were visited.

Photo of the dinner together in Arles

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the dinner together in Arles

All these impressions could still be exchanged at a sponsored dinner in a typical French restaurant.