Strolling Through Les Baux de Provence, France

One of the benefits of meeting up with locals while traveling is that they take you to places you’ve never heard of, like

and that there was no urgent need to visit Les Baux, considering the fact that the descriptions of the two towns are strikingly similar. Thanks to our Provençal travel companion’s suggestion to visit this time around, I had the chance to prove my then 20-year-old self wrong and spent a memorable afternoon in this unique village.

Though smaller than Carcassonne with fewer restaurants and shops, Les Baux de Provence is just as rich in beauty and history. Just outside of St. Rémy, the winding road that leads up to Les Baux de Provence takes you through scenic vineyards and olive groves. I suggest a stop at the Cave Vignoble Sainte Berthe (vineyard) where you can sample their wares in an intimate setting. Les Baux de Provence gets its name from the baux (large cliffs), a term that also lends itself to the aluminum ore, bauxite, which is prevalent throughout the Alpilles region. Because of its elevated position, Les Baux de Provence offers breathtaking views of Les Alpilles, a chain of limestone hills running east-west; an extension of the Luberon mountains.

As we entered the village, we were greeted by narrow cobblestone streets, small cafés, souvenir and artisanal shops selling Provençal tablecloths, clothing (I bought a fabulous Provençal skirt!) and santons (small figurines typical of this region). One of the most celebrated shops in the village is that of Santonnier J. Peyron- Peyron himself is almost always in the shop and you can watch him make santons as you browse thousands of impressive figurines.

The main tourist attraction is the chateau-fortress, which is more impressive when

viewed from outside the confines of the village. Les Baux de Provence was used as a strategic defense site throughout history. The first inhabitants were believed to be the Celto-Ligurian peoples (there are both Celto-Ligurian and Roman necropolis near the village), followed by the Gallo-Romans (as evidenced by Roman burial tombs and monoliths). During Medieval times, the Baux family ruled between the 9th century and 1426. After this, Baux was integrated into the rest of Provence (thus becoming Les Baux de Provence) and officially became part of France in 1481.

You can easily visit the major sites and shops in the town within 2-3 hours. If you wish to spend more time, there are a variety of options for you.

Museums & Sites

Baux History Museum – Tour du Manoir de Brau – Musée d’Histoire des Baux
Famous historical events to the Baux citadel
Tel: 0490 545 556

Cathédral d’Images - Picture Palace
Total 3-dimensional images: walls, ceilings, floors, screens.
Tel: 0490 543 865

City of the Dead – Citadelle ou Cité des morts
Tel: 0490 545 556
Tickets available from the Museum of History

Foundation Museum Louis Jou – Musée Fondation Louis Jou
Grand master printer of Baux; works, engravings, incunabula
Open only for groups and by appointment.
Tel: 0490 543 417

Modern Art Museum - Musée d’art contemporain
Location: Hotel de Manville
Tel: 0490 543 439

Olive Trees Museum – Chapelle St Blaise – Musée de l’Olivier
Photographs with the theme of olive trees (oliviers) and painters

Tel: 0490 545 556

Painting Museum – Musée de peinture

Pénitents Blancs – Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs
Frescoes of shepherds and the midnight mass, in 17th-century chapel

Saint-Vincent Church - Eglise Saint-Vincent
Cistercian nave and stained glass windows, in 12c and 16c church

Santons Museum - Musée des Santons
Provencal Santons, 17th and 18th century
Tel: 0490 543 439

Yves Brayer Museum - Musée Yves Brayer
Contemporary works of art, sculptures
Hotel des Porcelets
Tel: 0494 543 699

Office de Tourisme