Les Baux-de-Provence

Bauxite is named after this rocky spur of the Alpilles, where the ore was identified in the early 19th century. Its medieval lords claimed descent from the Magus Balthazar and ruled from the fortress whose ruins overlook the plain towards Arles. Only 22 people live in the old village, yet over 1.5 million visitors a year come for the castle, its siege engines and the Carrières de Lumières.

Highlights

• Château des Baux, with trebuchet demonstrations from April to September
• Carrières de Lumières, image shows inside cool former quarries (FR)
• Chapelle Saint-Blaise and the Église Saint-Vincent
• Pavillon de la Reine Jeanne, free and open at all times
• Walks in the Alpilles regional nature park (FR)

Summary based on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA), written with AI assistance.