Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence is a medieval citadel village on a rock spur in the Alpilles, about 85 km north-west of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France. It has a ruined castle, stone lanes along the Grand'Rue Frederic Mistral and, nearby in the Val d'Enfer, the Carrieres de Lumieres light-and-sound show in a former quarry. The most practical transport is a car, which takes about 1 hour via the A7 and the D5, with paid parking at the foot of the village. Public transport means a train to Arles, about 1 hour, and a local coach, bringing the total to about 2 hours; coach line numbers and times change, so zou.maregionsud.fr or the tourist office should be checked before leaving. A suggested day arc is to arrive early in the morning, before the midday crowds, and climb through the village lanes to the ruined castle, taking in views over the Alpilles. Stone lanes are steep and uneven, and the village is difficult for wheelchairs. Lunch can be taken in the village. The afternoon suits the Carrieres de Lumieres, an indoor show in the cool of the quarry, which is a good refuge in summer heat. The late afternoon is another quiet period for a last walk in the village once day-trippers have left. The best seasons are April to June and September to October, and the citadel is crowded at midday throughout the year. Visitors should check current ticket prices and show times for the castle and the quarry before travelling. Sturdy shoes are essential because of the steep, uneven stone. The overall exertion is moderate because of the climbing and the stairs, and a car makes the day far simpler than the coach connection.