Carrière Saint-Just

Théâtre d'Images de Saint Restitut - Caves Cathédrales

Useful Information

Location:	Saint Restitut, Department Drôme. A7 exit Bollène.
Open:	Caves-Cathédrales: 28-APR to 31-AUG Tue-Sun, Hol 10-12:30, 14:30-18:30. Tours at 10, 11, 15, 16, 17. [2007]
Fee:
Classification:	Rock Mine Room and Pillar Mining
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=45 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Carrière Saint-Just, 26130 Saint Restitut, Tel: +33-475-045999, Fax: +33-475-967651. Cellier des Dauphins, 26130 Saint Restitut, Tel: +33-475-049587, Fax: +33-475-045436. Cellier des Dauphins, BP 16, 26790 Tulette, Tel: +33-475-962000, Fax: +33-475-973342. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Carrière Saint-Just (St. Just quarry) is an abandoned limestone quarry in the small village Saint Restitut in the Rhone valley. This quarry has an open atrium and numerous cathedral like chambers, a result of the simple room and pillar mining. The goal of the quarry workers was to produce rectangular slabs, the result are quarry walls which are almost flat, and because of the white coulor they are ideal as a canvas for the projection of slides and multimedia shows. All in all there are 4,000 m² of projection space. The vistor cross this enormous chambers with a small electric train.

A part of the huge cellars called Caves-Cathédrales is used by the vinery Cellier des Dauphins to store their wine. Cellier des Dauphins is the main brand of the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône (UVCDR) and was named after the Dauphin (Son of the King) who once owned this vineyards. There are enormous cellars in the abandoned quarry which are used for aging the wine, but they also have an exhibition with a display on wine growing, pressing, maturing, and bottling. There is also a display of modern art. However, the UVCDR has more than 3,000 vine growers and 11 cooperatives which are members, so it is an enormous company which produces enormous amounts of wine. The cellars at Saint Restitut are only a small advertisement operation.