Les baux de provence, A Medieval Dream with Artistic Soul
Maison du Roy
Porte Mage Street, 13520 Les Baux de Provence
4.1
Introduction
Les Baux is an ancient town in the Provence region, located 30 kilometers south of Avignon. It is said that one of the three wise men from the East, Balthasar, discovered the guidance of Venus in this place. The Ligurians were the first to occupy this place, naming it "Bau," meaning steep rocky cliffs. The town's French name also means "steep rocks" in Provencal. After being occupied by France, the locals rebelled against Louis XI and destroyed the old castle, which was not rebuilt until the Renaissance. The town's history museum (Musée d'Histoire des Baux) displays historical materials and artifacts from the castle's heyday. Standing at the top of the castle, one can overlook the surrounding scenery of Arles. The inspiration for the Valley of Hell (Val d'Enfer) in the Divine Comedy is said to have come from the north. Although the castle has experienced many wars, it still retains some of its magnificent buildings from the heyday, and its towering majesty still impresses people. Another new attraction in the town is Carrières de Lumières, which was developed around 2011 and transformed the original quarry site into a large cinema. Here, you can enjoy the works of famous artists such as Van Gogh and Gauguin, integrated with light and shadow effects, leaving a lasting impression on people. Click here to visit the official website. Address Maison du Roy
Porte Mage Street, 13520 Les Baux de Provence
Transportation Take bus line 57 from Avignon Bus Station (Gare routière) to Saint-Rémy in Bouches-du-Rhône, which takes about 46 minutes and costs 3.3 euros. Then transfer to bus line 59 towards Arles and get off at the Lebo station in Provence, which takes about 15 minutes and costs 1 euro.
