France, and especially southern France is famous for its perched villages, Les Baux-de-Provence is one such stone bastide, which clings, seemingly quite precariously, to the hillside. Mostly built in the Middle Ages on carefully chosen prominent rock faces, offering the best vantage point for protection from potential invaders.Once immersed in the enfold of ancient stone buildings and winding cobbled streets the modern day visitor cannot fail to be both impressed and charmed.

Les Baux-de-Provence, dated back to the tenth century. Nestled on a magnificent 804 feet high rocky escarpment, (in provençal, “bau” means ‘rocky escarpment) standing high above the caves of the surrounding Alpilles hills it is utterly captivating. Les Baux’ strategic position meant it was settled early, both by Celts and by Romans but the height of its power was in the early Middle Ages, when it was dominated by the fiercely ambitious princes of Les Baux, who controlled 79 towns and villages in the region. They claimed to be the descendants of Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men, and the 16-pointed silver star which guided the kings to Bethlehem is still on the municipal flag.
 Small squares, shady pavement cafes and shops heavily festooned with local offerings, wine, olive oil, soap, tablecloths all purposefully arranged to allure and entice. Fragrant smells of lavender and cooking, the atmosphere is magical.

In 1642 the town was granted to the Grimaldi , of Monaco, as a French marquisate, the title of Marquis des Baux remains with them. The family have visited the tiny 12th century church, Saint Vincent’s, a ‘troglodyte building’ i.e. it’s partly carved into the rock. It is spellbinding in its quiet simplicity.

Having ambled through the winding streets there are the ruins of the once majestic chateaux to explore. With a little imagination, after a fine glass or three of vin rosé you are transported back to a bygone era. If you listen carefully you can hear the swish of arrows ascending from the elevated fortress walls. Swords clashing and men far below scream as they charge and the ram the guarded entrance way, dodging whatever is being hurled at them.

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