The town and fortress of Les Baux rises from a detached spur of the Alpilles Chain south of Avignon. It is a very high rocky prominence with deep ravines on either side. Its position made it almost impregnable for hundreds of years. During the middle ages its lords traced their lineage back to Balthazar the Magi and placed the Star of Bethlehem on their coat of arms. Les Baux was a small independent state fighting its own wars and drawing up its own treaties until about seventy years before Columbus' voyage. At this time the incessant warring of the lords of Les Baux had finally garnered a coalition of enemies, including the kingdom of France, sufficient to lay siege to the fortress, bring about its defeat and force annexation. Some hundred or so years before its annexation one of the lords of les Baux left this fortress to occupy a similiar high rocky site on the Mediterrean seacoast under cover of darkness. He then declared himself a prince and set up a principality. In return the unhappy inhabitants originated a legendary curse upon his family, the Grimaldis. Present day citizens of this second fortress now known as Monaco are now quite happy with their ruler, the latest Grimaldi, but the curse still seems to live on.

SANTONS One of the things to do in les Baux is shop. One of the articles to shop for almost anywhere in Provence is a santon. Santons are figures of traditional proven�al personages in a variety of sizes. There are at least three dozen different instantly recognizable (for the French) figures. They are found all over the region. The larger and more elaborate ones are very expensive. They have a fascinating story.

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One last look at Les Baux baking in the sun of Provence.

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