Europe 23 May to 1 July 2008: Italy, France, Spain, England: 51. Les Baux de Provence

Sunday

51. Les Baux de Provence

Set in Les Alpilles mountain range, Les Baux gave its name to the mineral bauxite. It was from samples from Lex Baux that in 1858 double aluminium chloride was successfully made, from which the metal is easily extracted. France was the largest producer of bauxite until 1939. Though bauxite is red, the mountains are limestone. "Baux" comes from the Provençal for "white mountain".

Les Baux's origins are much earlier than that. There are traces of human habitation from 6000BC. The site was used by the Celts as a hill fort or around the 2nd century BC. During the Middle Ages it became the seat of a powerful feudal lordship that controlled 79 towns and villages in the vicinity. The Lords of Baux sought control of Provence for many years. They claimed ancestry from the Magus king Balthazar (one of the 'Three Wise men', the one who took francincense to baby Jesus).

The lords of Baux were deposed in the 12th century. However, the great castle at Les Baux became renowned for its court, famed for a high level of ornateness, culture and chivalry. The domain was finally extinguished in the 15th century with the death of the last princess of Baux, Alice of Baux.

Les Baux was later joined, along with Provence, to the French crown under the governance of the Manville family. It became a centre for Protestantism and its unsuccessful revolt against the crown, led Cardinal Richelieu in 1632 to order that the castle and its walls should be demolished.

The town was granted in 1642 to the Grimaldi family, rulers of Monaco, as a French marquisiate. Nowadays the title of Marquis des Baux remains with the Grimaldis, although administratively the town is entirely French. The title is traditionally given to the heir to the throne of Monaco. Princess Caroline of Monaco uses the style Marquise des Baux, but, being a French title it can only pass through a male line under Salic law. It lapsed on the death of her grandfather Prince Louis II, the last male in a direct line. (Thanks to Wikipedia)

Below: Nowadays Les Baux is a tourist town, and very pleasant indeed. Pit stop for drinks (and reading).

Below: Views of Les Alpilles and the surrounding plains from the citadel - the vast ruined chateau.

Below: The Château des Baux includes three replica catapults, including the largest trebuchet in Europe. There are demonstrations daily from April to September. Below is a bricole.