Provencal village of Les Baux-de-Provence…
Its the heart of the rustic Luberon valley of French Provence, 15 km from Arles and 25 km from Avignon. Purple lavender, green herbs and black truffle color the landscape. One of the million scenic roads leads to a rocky outcrop under a shocking blue sky. Where the postcard-pretty village of Les Baux-de-Provence is perched on a hilltop, elegantly dressed in shades of classic cream. Forget the etymology (its named the bauxite found there). This is one of ‘the most beautiful’ of 160 Provencal villages listed by the Plus Beaux Villages de France Association. See and believe!
A generous shot of digital art
For a preamble of a very different kind, indulge your eyes in a majestic spectacle below the village. Take a walk through living pictures and music in the Carrières de Lumières (Quarries of Lights). Spine chills guaranteed! Even if you know what to expect in the 35-minute digital art show that graces the interiors of the limestone quarry caves in the magical Val d’Enfer (Valley of Hell).
Its pitch dark inside, but no possibility of stumbling. Because you’re surrounded by dozens of parallel slideshows of bright, colourful artworks slipping and sliding onto the surface of the wall caves, ceiling and floor. You’re walking through the images, inside 7,000 square meters of gigantic walls of white limestone rising to a height of 14 metres. Cutting edge technology of 100 video projectors and a 3D audio system create a brilliant kaleidoscope of colours and dazzling images, overflowing one after the other. Its a treat for the eyes, ears and mind…unlike any art museum in the world.
Stony beauty on a hilltop
Real sensory extravaganza awaits in the fortified pedestrian village of Les Baux-de-Provence, home to 400 locals. As you stop to gasp at the spectacular views of the stony Alpilles mountain valley, consider these facts. 22 listed monuments crammed into just 18 square kilometres. Time to get selective.
Carved out of one giant rock…is the thought that comes to mind, as you step onto the crooked, steep cobbled streets, which almost seem to blend into the walls of the rugged houses lining either side. A folded sun umbrella of a terrace cafe matching the cream of its stone facade. Bright red shuttered windows and a casually displayed advertisement of ‘Bonbons’ enhancing a nearby store’s appeal. A classic Renaissance mansion doorway bearing the inscription “Post Tenebras Lux 1571” (After the Darkness, Light). An intriguing courtyard adorned with flower urns and a solemn statue in stone. Faded amber tiled-roofs breaking the monotony of the scene. Inhale the serenity, feel the grace.
Stop at the craft shops to pick up local Provençal products like tapenade, extra virgin olive oil, special biscuits and hand-painted clay products. Explore the alleys running off the main thoroughfare, enjoy a coffee under the blue sky, or indulge your inner art-lover at the exclusive galleries. Admire the carefully restored ancient houses and imagine life centuries ago, when when the population used to be 4000.
For a dose of history, make way to the Citadelle des Baux, the ruined castle on the upper part of town. Relive the medieval era with catapult games, archery lessons, crossbow shooting, sword fights and pony rides. Or just float into fantasy with unforgettable views of vineyards, olive groves and pointy mountains.
Find one of the oldest buildings in Les Baux…the 10th-century Romanesque church of St Vincent. A unique wrought-iron cross marks the entrance. The stained glass windows in the nave bear uncanny resemblance to digital art. To the south of the church stands a circular turret, topped with a dome decorated with gargoyles. In the olden times, a fire was lit in the turret whenever a local died…closely-knit community.
Wasted village to tourist hotspot
A solitary iron bell makes strong statement on a partially destroyed wall. The town-hall, various Renaissance town-houses and chapels stand as silent reminders of the 12th-century regional powerhouse, which was razed to the ground in 1632 by a paranoid Louis XIII. Today, what is left behind is a reconstructed ‘live city’ carved into, out of and on top of a 600-foot-high rock. Who knew that hundreds of years later, this wasted village would attract 1.5 million tourists a year!
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100cobbledroads.com 
There are so many great spots to visit in France. But Provence is special. And lavender season would be heavenly. So interesting to find street art in just an old historic town. I am sorry we missed Les Baux-de-Provence. I would not be sure where to start with 22 listed monuments. I would certainly love to wander in the small alleys and browse the local crafts. Definitely a spot to add to our plans the next time we visit France.
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We skipped the 22 monuments too, and spent all our time wandering around. Such a pleasant day!
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WOW! This is immediately going on my list. I always search out street art and visit a museum while traveling and I absolutely must see Carrières de Lumières. Bonus that the stone village is adorable and there’s bonbons!
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The digital art show is a treat for the senses. You should catch that.
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I visited the Provence when I was a kid, and have always wanted to return ever since. Southern France is not that far away from our home, and yet we still haven’t made our way to this wonderful French region. Arles and Avignon are both on our bucket list, so it’s good to know that Baux-de-Provence is so close! And what a great idea to have projected the wonderful artworks inside the limestone quarry caves! We both love exploring stone quarries (there’s one not far away from our hometown) as well as caves, and we’re also huge art lovers! So this is simply perfect for us! Thanks a lot for sharing this post, it’s truly inspiring! 🙂
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Its so wonderful that South France is close by. Where do you live? You can find posts on Arles and Avignon on my blog too.
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I have been to this part of Provence but totally missed out on this beautiful village! But I am driving through this area very soon so I am going to make sure I get to go this village. I do love rustic villages in beautiful surroundings. Loving this post and looks like you fell in love with the area.
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South France is pure delight. Here’s another of my posts on Provence villages. https://100cobbledroads.com/2017/11/30/intoxicated-by-the-most-beautiful-villages-in-provence/ You may find it interesting.
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I’ve now been to France 3 times in all different parts, but not really sure how I missed the art, culture, and beauty of this lovely area. It looks like we’ve been sent back in time and get to enjoy all of the wonderful architecture of the past mixed with some wonderful art of the modern era. Needless to say, we will not miss out on this next time we’re in the area ❤
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There is so much to explore in France…it can literally take months to know it all.
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Avignon has always been a place I have to visit once, but I didn’t know that this cute place was so close by. Sounds like we’ll have an extra stop on our road trip through France!
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All of these villages are so enchanting. We saw a bunch of them, but haven’t had enough yet.
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Le Baux seems as beautiful as it is historical. I love the underground art installation. You have so much control over the lighting and it’s one of those places in 1000 year will still be there and people will judge who we were from it. No so dissimilar from other cave art in France really. One time I went in a banquet underground in a quarry with over 16 square miles of room carved out of the rock. I always wondered what else you could do with that space and this is a brilliant answer.
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Its astonishing how some of these places have been transformed into museums of sorts. Cave art in France is still something we have to explore.
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I’ve been to France many times, and will be going to Provence again. You can never have too much of France!
Great post. ‘Love the photography as usual.
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I agree wholeheartedly. You can never have too much of France.
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Les Baux-de-Provence looks like a really stunning village, love the idea of the digital art exhibition combining something ancient with cutting edge modernity, I’d like to go see that. In fact just wandering around the town it looks as though you’d get great views at every turn. What a beautiful village!
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And there are so many of these villages all over. France is a mine of gems.
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I have never visited this part of France, or heard of Les Baux-de-Provence either, but it looks like a beautiful place to visit! France is full of these places all over the country, they truly are blessed with some beautiful places to visit!
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South France is a wonderland.
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This looks like a great village to wonder around and explore. I love seeing the digital artwork designed along the walls.
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In the off-season, it has just about 20 residents. Imagine that!
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Wow – Les Baux-de-Provence looks so incredibly beautiful! I love all those pictures and I’d definitely love to visit the iron bell!
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The skies are so blue in Provence..even the mundane looks exotic against that background 🙂
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Les Baux looks so beautiful – I love how the Provençal towns are taking their heritage and promoting it. The Carrières de Lumières is an amazing initiative! With so many listed monuments, I’m sure you could spend days in the area!
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If I could, I would visit all those Provencal towns.
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What a quaint village! I love the contrast of the digital art against the historic stone!
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Yes, that’s exactly what makes it intriguing.
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Wow… so much packed in one village! I loved the wall art and also the photographs from the hilltop. Digital art is interesting. Someone should implement it in the historic walls of Delhi.
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Digital art in Delhi would be a lovely addition.
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I have never heard of Les Baux, but it seems intriguing. The cobbled streets along with the fact that the buildings are stonewalled, that’s adds a unique perspective. Did you visit any of the 22 monuments, and how long did you stay?
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No, Shivani…we did not visit the 22 monuments. The village itself kept us busy the whole time.
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I love how so many of the European countries are so dedicated to the arts. Who would have thought that the 7000 square feet would hold such a beautiful collection of new vs old. It is very deceiving to see the town of stone and mortar, all in grey and then have such a beautiful display.
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Europe is synonymous with art and culture…and that’s what makes it so special.
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I have wanted to visit the Luberon Valley for years. This little village looks like a magical place to explore. That digital art exhibit is so interesting, like nothing I’ve ever seen. I love the juxtaposition of old and new – very unique!
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Le Baux looks frozen in time…its a great place to lose yourself.
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I’ve been here, but many decades ago. Sifting through some old photos a few months back (real ones, pre-digital), I found a pic of me, aged around 13 from the haircut, looking at a shop full of provencal cottons in this village. It’s lovely to see the colourful shops against those beautiful stone buildings so many years later. I remember the cobbles underfoot too. I think I’d have loved the digital art exhibit; what a good reason to go back and explore again! And you’ve brought back all those scents too – lavender, olive oil, soap. It’s a beautiful place.
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The best part is…most of these places stay unchanged. The digital art is mind-boggling.
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I have absolutely got to see the “Carrières de Lumières”! That sounds amazing. There is a similar digital art show (albeit on a much smaller scale) that we experienced in Liepzig, Germany at the Kunstkrafwerk art museum and one you need to put on your list. And then if you like this sort of thing, be sure to check out the Festival of Lights next year in Berlin.
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Will keep those two in mind. Avignon’s Papal Palace has a Illumination show at night too. That is out of this world!
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The digital art show looks like an amazing experience. Especially when juxtaposed against the historic feel of the town. I’d love to be there during lavender season; I bet it’s a treat.
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Lavender season would be heavenly…all that color and all that fragrance!
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Wow, what a beautiful and historic place to visit, we would LOVE to explore this region in the future! I love seeing these smaller and more regional place, they usually are so much more interesting and a great look into local life. I love how this village is also up to date and modern too without loosing any charm.
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A road trip through Provence would be ideal. So many little places to explore…
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What a beautiful post. Loved the photos . Just wants me to take a trip now. We were in Lisbon for a few days , but could not visit Sintra. Your photos have rekindled my interest
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Thanks so much! Next tine you’re in Lisbon, your plan is chalked out 🙂
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I love this village! We visited about 2 years ago, when there was a Chagall exhibit in the caverns. It was a great experience! Thanks for bringing up some great memories for me.
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The best part is the cavern gallery itself. Right?
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Absolutely! We were mesmerized– amazing shows they put on there!
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