Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence stands on a rocky spur of the Alpilles. The castle was built in the 11th century for the Lords of Baux, one of the most powerful families of lower Provence; in the 13th century the village had about 3,000 inhabitants. The castle and town walls were demolished on the orders of Louis XIII (in 1632 according to one source, in 1633 according to another, after a 27-day siege under Cardinal Richelieu). Since 1642 the lordship has belonged to the Grimaldi family of Monaco. The mineral bauxite is named after the village and was discovered nearby in 1821.

From the castle you can see as far as the Camargue. The remains include a Saracen tower, cave dwellings, a chapel and a 13th-century keep; replicas of siege engines stand on the site. According to the operator the castle is open 365 days a year, with hours changing by season; free audio guides are available in ten languages (as of October 2026). Allow two to three hours.

The village itself has well-preserved 16th-century stone houses and a car-free main street with shops, cafés and galleries. It is one of the most visited places in France; it is quieter in the late afternoon, once the coaches have left, or out of season.