Les Baux-de-Provence is a small town located picturesquely in the Alpilles massif. Above its stone buildings rise the ruins of a medieval castle, which is the biggest attraction of the area.
The name of the city of Baux means a cliff and refers to its location. The stone buildings are climbing up, and in the most inaccessible and highest place are the ruins of the Castle of Les Baux-de-Provence.
It was built in the 10th century, but it is known that already in Roman times this place was fortified. Most of the walls were pulled down during the reign of Louis XIV, but even what has survived shows the power of the former stronghold. Currently, there is an exhibition of siege machines on its premises. It is also a great viewpoint to the surrounding area.
A historic urban layout has been preserved in Les Baux-de-Provence. Cobbled streets climb up between stone houses. The town is tiny and you can get around it in a very quiet step within 2-3 hours. However, it offers wonderful views and the wonderful atmosphere of French Provence.
An interesting attraction is the unusual museum Cathedral of Images. It is in a closed quarry. The massive rock blocks display the visual presentations of the visual arts that are changed every season.
Les Baux-de-Provence also has an important part of Provence's industry in the past. In 1821 Pierre Berthier discovered aluminum ore around the town, examined and described it. He also gave them the name of bauxite from the place of discovery. The mines operated until the 1990s.
