Château des Baux

Les Baux de Provence is a beautiful medieval town in Provence, whose hillsides are brushed with lavender.

Understand

Les Baux is now given over entirely to the tourist trade, relying on a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in France. Its population of 22 in the old village is a fraction of its peak population of over 4,000, and many of its buildings (in particular the castle) are picturesque ruins.

See

• 1 The Castle (Château des Baux). Visitors to the Château des Baux can see three full scale replicas of huge siege warfare machines and watch demonstrations of huge catapults (the biggest trebuchet in Europe, a couillard also called biffa and a bricole) performing real shootings every day from April to September. The trebuchet, the largest medieval siege warfare machine, could hurl 100 kg rock projectiles at walls 200 yards (180 m) away. (updated Nov 2019)
• 2 Chapelle Saint-Blaise. (updated Nov 2019)
• 3 Église Saint-Vincent. (updated Nov 2019)

Do

• 1 Carrières de Lumières, Route de Maillane, ☏ +33 4 90 49 20 02. (updated Nov 2019)

Eat

• L'Oustau De Baumaniere, 13520 Les Baux De Provence, ☏ +33 4 90 54 33 07. Moderately expensive. How to describe it? A bucket-list restaurant. A place that's worth the effort if you're within 200km of Les Baux. 

Sleep

• Auberge de la Benvengudo, Vallon de l'Arcoule, D78, 13520, ☏ +33 4 90 54 32 54. Just outside Les Baux de Provence. approx €100. 
• Le Prince Noir, Rue de Lorme F -13520, ☏ +33 4 90 54 39 57. The only bed and breakfast in the historical centre.