Absorption spectra of all-trans carotenoids (lycopene, violaxanthin, ζ-carotene) at low temperature exhibit peculiar features in the UV range. The transition to the 1 1 A g + state (‘cis-band’) weakens on cooling, indicating that it is induced by thermal deformations of the conjugated chain. The higher energy band has unique vibrational structure indicating the vibronic coupling of nB u with another electronic state. The electroabsorption spectra point to the electric field-induced mixing of the nB u state with the vibrational continuum of a lower-lying excited state (Fano effect). These observations widen the basis for elucidation of the vibronic coupling effects in the lower excited states.