Les Baux-de-Provence, France

Dramatic view from the road

This fortified hilltop village is aptly named for its location; in Provençal, “bauç” is a rocky spur and Les Baux-de-Provence indeed sits on a limestone spur.

Ruins

Lone bell

The dramatic rocks caught my attention, so we parked the car on the main road and walked up the hill through olive groves and vineyards to get a better look.

Another picturesque view

Les Baux-de-Provence has under 400 residents. It was inhabited as early as 6000 BC.

Local product: olive oil soap

Cicada are good luck in Provence

Through the ages, numerous groups ruled from atop this hill. The most notable and powerful was the Baux family (in the 10th century, the ruling family assumed the surname Les Baux), who ruled from the 9th – 15th centuries. At its peak, the dynasty controlled up to 79 towns.

Plenty of ancient buildings

In the 17th century, the lordship of Les Baux was given by King Louis XIII to Hercule Grimaldi of Monaco as a thank-you gift for Monaco’s French-friendly policies. To this day, princes of Monaco are known as Marquis des Baux. The current holder is Prince Albert.