VILLAGES
OF PROVENCE
Les Baux de Provence
In a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, Les Baux
de Provence is set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined
castle overlooking the plains of the south.
Its name refers to its site ‘baou’ meaning rocky spur.
The village was named after the bauxite was discovered there in
1821.
Les Baux de Provence has been dated back to 6000BC because of
its defensive possibilities and was used as a fort through the
ages. The castle was demolished in 1632 as a result of an unsuccessful
protestant uprising against the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. It
is now given over to tourism.
St. Rémy de Provence
Considered to have the most important Roman excavations in
France at Glanum, St. Rémy de Provence was also the birthplace
of Nostradamas and Vincent van Gogh was treated at the Monastry
St. Paul de Mausole psychiatric centre. A visit to his room, the
courtyard and gardens is quite evocative. ‘The Starry Night’,
‘The Irises’, ‘Hospital at San Remy’,
‘Olive Trees’ and many still lifes, portraits of the
staff and patients were also painted during his stay there.
Arles
Although World Heritage Site listed for its fabulous Roman
monuments (the amphitheatre, triumphal arch, roman circus and
theatre), mills and aquaducts, Arles is most famous for its most
famous resident, the post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh
who lived, painted and cut off his ear in Arles in 1888-1889,
producing over 300 paintings and drawings in his time there.
Van Gogh was fascinated by the Provencal landscapes and light
– some of his notable are ‘The Night Café’,
‘The Yellow House’, and ‘Starry Night Over The
Rhone’ and many others were painted in Arles.
TOURS
IN PROVENCE - FRANCE
Van
Gogh in Provence
guided Tour
