Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Hill-Top Town

The drive and climb to this ancient village of Les Baux ended up being so worth it. It was pretty much composed entirely of pale, aged stone, {one of our favorite aspects of France anyway}, and was seemingly removed from the world below.

Les Baux-1



It has a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. {We ended up wishing we had come earlier in the day, to spend more time here.}

les Baux-2


The defensive possibilities of Les Baux led to the site being settled early on in human history. Traces of habitation have been found dating back as far as 6000 BC, and the site was used by the Celts as a hill fort 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.



Les Baux-3

3 comments:

Shannon said...

Oh, Mom, how I love these pictures and memories! Rich, rich, rich, that's how I feel having had these experiences with YOU! I had forgotten how peaceful les Baux was, the photos remind me!

grandma and grandpa said...

You certainly have captured the essence of France and much of Europe in these pictures. Beautiful!!!! Mom

nanajoy said...

Your pictures are so beautiful!!! I need to see your album! Have sure enjoyed the journey!