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Les Lapidiales: An Open-Air Sculpture Museum

Discover Les Lapidiales, a unique open-air museum in Port-d'Envaux where international sculptors transform stone into breathtaking works of art.

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Les Lapidiales, nestled in the heart of the former Crazannes quarries in Port-d'Envaux, is an open-air museum where international sculptors create monumental works by carving directly into the stone walls. This unique space fosters a dialogue between artists, the material, the public, and the surrounding heritage.

A brief summary to Les Lapidiales

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit between May and September to see sculptors in residence at work.
  • Admission is free, allowing you to explore the site at your leisure.
  • Participate in a sculpture workshop to immerse yourself in the art of stone carving.
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Getting There

  • Car

    If driving, take the D119E2 road towards Port-d'Envaux. Follow the signs for Les Lapidiales. There is on-site parking available, though it may be limited during peak tourist seasons. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    To reach Les Lapidiales by public transport, take a train to Saintes. From Saintes, buses run regularly to Port-d'Envaux. From the center of Port-d'Envaux, Les Lapidiales is a short walk. Bus fare from Saintes to Port-d'Envaux typically costs a few euros.

Unlock the Best of Les Lapidiales

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Discover more about Les Lapidiales

Les Lapidiales, an open-air museum born in 1997, resides in the heart of the ancient Crazannes quarries in Port-d'Envaux. Here, sculptors from around the globe converge to transform the stone faces of the Chabossières quarry into breathtaking works of art. The association Les Lapidiales, founded in 2000 by Alain Tenenbaum, invites artists for residencies, encouraging them to create sculptures based on predefined themes. Visitors can explore themed spaces featuring over 200 sculptures inspired by diverse world cultures, including India, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The site also includes abstract, figurative, symbolic, and fantastical works, each reflecting the unique vision of its creator. Les Lapidiales is more than just a museum; it's a space where art, nature, and heritage intertwine. Vegetation embraces the stone creations, highlighting the quarries' historical and architectural significance and the ancestral skills of the stonemasons. Since its inception, resident sculptors have been invited to select their successors, resulting in a diverse collection of approximately 60 monumental sculptures crafted by around 50 artists. Admission is free, allowing visitors to explore the site day and night. From May 1st to September 30th, five to seven sculptors are in residence each year, offering the public a chance to witness the creative process and engage with the artists. Sculpture workshops are also available to the public.

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