Mines Bruoux — Attraction in Apt

A little underwhelming and particularly as the guide spoke only French. We have fairly good French but it was tricky to comprehend details and feel we only got the gist of it. The group was huge too, the website says maximum 18 but there were nearly 30 people in our group and we didn’t have time to look closely at the galleries because as soon as the guide finished his blurb he walked on to the next area and took the only flashlight with him. Those at the back of this big group were left in the dark. On that note too I would say that they need more floor lights, several times I stumbled on the uneven surface, it’s rather disconcerting not knowing where you are placing your feet on unknown territory. We had to wear hard hats as a safety precaution but I would say tripping over was a bigger safety concern. There were two people tailing the group to make sure people didn’t dawdle so you if you wanted to linger and take a closer look with the aid of the light on a phone (as the guide had taken away the flash light, ) they hurried you along. It certainly is an interesting place and worth a visit but if you are not a French speaker then make sure you take a tour with a guide who speaks your language and make sure the group is not too large. I would say 10-12 people is optimum for such a...

The site and the history of this ocre mine are both fascinating. Though there are only very limited English tours available, and only in summer, it might be worth it to take a French tour of this unusual locale, even with limited French language skills. Definitely reserve ahead, and arrive early, of you would like to take the tour.

The vaulted ceilings were dug by local farm labour -- initially suffering due to the failure of both the silk and wine industries, due to diseases, and to other factors. The layout of the tunnels and columns was rigorously followed after early collapses. From 1860 to 1942, 40km of tunnels were dug to extract ocre, mostly for the expanding rubber industry.

If this is your type of thing, then come and explore the exterior, even without taking a tour. There's lots of parking, good signage from the village of Gargas, and lots of ocre to be seen without entering the mine site.

I really enjoyed the French tour, which I'm able to understand, though the guide was a little on the preachy side, like a stereotypical, cynical, French school teacher (for those who've had the pleasure of attending French schools) -- which is why I gave Les Mines four stars...

Unfortunately the tour was only in French. We received an IPad that was supposed to translate for us but only in the tour we found out that it had no battery- so we weren’t able to understand anything nor did we enjoy the tour. Not suitable for small kids even thought they will tell you it does- not recommended at all. I’m shocked to read the answer from the place - it is unbelievable how rude! We never complained about the guide! Our only complain was that no one told us that the tour was in French! The iPad had no battery and we got the postcards as a compensation and nothing else! When we brought the iPad back they couldn’t even turn it on in the store! Kids make noise that’s life (age 4.5 and 2.5!) to promote this place as suitable for kids and then to write such a horrific rude response is truly unbelievable!To write that we did not care about our children is shocking! When we bought the tickets they should have said the tour is only in French- and not give us one iPad with no battery for six people! We asked for help and explanations in English during the tour be we were told it’s not possible since the tour is in French! Never coming back nor...