Perched on a rocky plateau overlooking a peaceful valley in the Alpilles natural regional park, Les Baux-de-Provence takes its name from the Provençal word "Li Baus," which means "The Rocks." The ruins of the Château des Baux and its citadel seem to form part of the steep limestone crag.
Visitors must park in the lower part of the town and walk up to the historic village, which gives the impression of stepping back in time to the Middle Ages. Tourists can try to imagine the medieval troubadour culture of chivalry and love poetry that flourished here in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Listed as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), Les Baux-de-Provence is distinguished by its delightful old stone buildings, shaded squares, and terraces full of fragrant flowers.
Wandering the old cobblestone streets, tourists will find charming cafés, small boutiques, and inviting art galleries. A great place to begin a tour is at the Château des Baux and the Place Saint-Vincent, with its striking panoramas of the landscape, then continue to the Eglise Saint-Vincent, a 12th-century Romanesque church with modern stained-glass windows created by Max Ingrand.
Other noteworthy attractions include the Musée des Santons with a collection of antique Christmas nativity figures; the Musée Yves Brayer (in the 16th-century Hôtel des Porcelets) featuring the artist's finest paintings; and the Hôtel de Manville, a Renaissance mansion that is now used as the village's Town Hall.
Les Baux-de-Provence is in the heart of the Alpilles Mountains, 20 kilometers north of Arles and 11 kilometers south of Saint-Rémy de Provence. The best view of the village is from the Plâteau des Bringasses. From here, the view extends to Mont Ventoux and the Luberon in Haut-Vaucluse, the Rhône Valley, Aix-en-Provence, and Arles. Travelers staying overnight can choose from several luxury hotel options. The five-star hotel
