Castle des Baux

A POWERFUL FORTRESS

A Medieval Fortress located at the intersection of the Languedoc, Comptat Venaissin and Provence regions, the Château des Baux stands witness to a turbulent military past punctuated by repeated assaults. The stout keep dominating the site is a reminder that at one time, numerous people wanted to take control of Provence. The Sarrasine Tower gets its name from the fact that it faces south, where Saracen raiders came from. The Paravelle Tower was mainly used as a lookout tower, rising high above the Château courtyards on one side and over the valley on the other.

A TURBULENT HISTORY

Golden age and decline of the town

A historical monument of the first importance, the Château des Baux is steeped in its turbulent history, with each different period leaving its indelible mark.

Although already inhabited in the Bronze Age, Les Baux de Provence did not really start growing until the medieval period. Built in the 10th century, the fortress and the small town it protects were ruled by the lords of Les Baux for five hundred years, in the thick of the ceaseless conflicts that ravaged Provence.

But it was also at Les Baux that the most famous minstrels and troubadours of the day sang songs of courtly love to the maidens of the House of Les Baux

In the 15th century, the turbulent lords of Les Baux were superseded by the barons of the Masons des Comtes de Provence. This was a golden age for the Château, before it came under the control of the kings of France.

From the 16th century on, family feuds and wars of religion brought on the decline of the town until the fortress was pulled down in 1633 on the orders of Louis XIII.

·TThe poets’ town

Defended by another generation of great Provençal poets – Mistral, Charles Rieu, Daudet and Pagnol – Les Baux today attracts visitors from all over the world who are moved by the site’s unique nature.

LODGING

See the listing of the Hotels in Avignon

See the listing of the Hotels in Arles

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Château of Baux de Provence

13520 Les Baux de Provence

·Location

25 minutes from Avignon

15 kilometres from Arles

·Access

Motorway A7, Exit Avignon sud ou Salon de Provence.
Motorway A9, Exit Nîmes, follow Arles.
Motorway A54, Exit les Baux de Provence.

Airports :Nîmes, Marseille, Avignon

High Speed Train Station : Aix-en-Provence, Avignon

·Facilities

Free parking for coaches, specially reserved upon presentation of the reservation slip for the Château tour. At the bottom of the road: direct access to the main entrance gate of the village.

·Opening hours

·Catapults shootings animation

From April to Septembre every day, 5 shows a day at 10.30 AM, 12 AM, 2 PM, 4PM and 6PM

·Type of tour

Non guided tour : Each visitor receives a free audioguide on arrival, available in 7 languages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Japanese).
Guided tour : With your own guide or guides from the Office of tourism. Reservation required.

·Services

The treasure hunt

A fun and enriching way to discover the Villa through a series of puzzles. Learn through play: a free booklet of games for children aged between 7 and 12 years.

A thrilling visit

The Château des Baux guarantees visitors a visit as enjoyable as it is exciting.
The Château visit itinerary has been extended and newly signposted. Some 27 explanatory display panels on enamelled lava that blend perfectly into the site décor now offer visitors a bilingual commentary on the historical and geographical aspects of the various structures on the tour as well as on everyday life in the middle ages.
Using the panoramic tables, visitors can get their geographical bearings at any time during the tour and locate places of interest in the Alpilles from Provence to the Camargue.