Located about 25 km south of Avignon just past the small town of Saint Remy de Provence (made famous by Van Gogh during his time living in and painting in this village) is the impressive and unique Les Baux de Provence. Sitting precariously on a 245 meter high limestone baou (which means rocky spur in Provencal), Les Baux is an ancient village sitting atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Provence plains below.
The uniquely spectacular village is one of the most visited villages in France. The spot has been the home to humans dating as far back as 6000 BC, when people first settled high on the hill among the limestone rocks for its superior defensive location. In fact, during the Middle Ages feudal lords from Les Baux ruled a large number of other villages in the area and the lords of Les Baux were historically some of the most powerful in southern France.
The dramatic rocks and cliffs overlooking a valley full of olive groves, vineyards boasts a castle, a church and ancient narrow streets atop the hill top. It’s unique beauty has long inspired authors and artists and is even said to be the inspiration for Dante Aligheri’s descriptions of Purgatory in the Inferno.
