Les Baux — The Lords' Forbidden Oath

Your quest begins in the Place de l'Église Saint-Vincent, at the foot of the Romanesque edifice built in the 12th century. This church, classified as a Historic Monument in 1942, served as a place of worship for the powerful lords of Les Baux during the Middle Ages. It is here, in this central point of the historic village, that the first clues of your forbidden oath are revealed, connecting you to ancient rituals and whispered secrets beneath the vaults. The visit to Les Baux-de-Provence starts with the foundations of its spiritual power.

Climbing up the Rue de la Calade, a typical medieval cobbled alley of Les Baux-de-Provence, you follow the path once taken by lords and their vassals to reach the Castle. This pedestrian route, about 1 km long, connects the church to the castle. On this steep ascent, the Hôtel de Manville, a 17th-century private mansion, bears witness to post-medieval Provençal aristocracy. Restored, it is now a key element of the heritage of this village, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, taking you through different eras as you explore the heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

The Porte Eyguières, a fortified gate providing access to the medieval village, marks the passage to the heart of the power of the lords of Les Baux. Built in the Middle Ages as the main entrance to the castle, it was part of the ramparts demolished in 1632 by order of Richelieu. You pass through this gate along the route to the Château des Baux, imagining the armies and processions that crossed it. Every stone of this fortification tells a part of the tumultuous history and revolts that marked Les Baux-de-Provence.

The Château des Baux-de-Provence, a medieval fortress spanning 7 hectares and perched on a rocky spur, was the residence of the lords of Les Baux from the 10th to the 15th century. Demolished in 1632 by Richelieu to quell the inhabitants' revolt, it remains a major historical site. The Sarrazine and Paravelle towers, built for defense, dominate the Alpilles landscape. The medieval dovecote, with over 2000 nesting boxes, reveals the importance of pigeon breeding, a prized meat for the wealthy. This Historic Monument, classified in 1903, is the final stage where the forbidden oath will be unveiled.

Descending back into the village, you pass the Hôtel des Porcelets, a noble 16th-century manor, residence of the Porcelet family, allies of the lords of Les Baux. It embodies Provençal Renaissance architecture. Your exploration concludes near the Mairie des Baux-de-Provence, housed in a historic building since the 19th century. This GPS treasure hunt will have shown you how this village, classified as one of France's Most Beautiful Villages in 1970, has preserved the traces of its glorious past and its oaths. You will have completed your interactive visit to Les Baux-de-Provence, carrying with you the secrets of its lords.