Les Baux of Provence and Vincent van Gogh

Les Baux is a hill town on top of the Alpilles Mountains in Provence.

The castle was twice destroyed first in 1426 by the French King and then in 1632 when the townspeople got in an argument with Rome.

Shell of a castle with a venue park where visitors can 
experience handling medieval weapons.

Next door is a medieval quarry in limestone cliffs.

Quiet narrow cobblestone streets waiting for the crowds of tourists.

Brightly colored display to attract customers

The town was once owned by the Grimaldi Family of Monaco until the French Revolution.  Princess Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier received the key to the city on this plaza.

The flags of France and Monaco fly together.

Passing through St. Remy, we stopped at the St. Paul Hospital where artist Vincent van Gogh received treatment.

He was released to the hospital grounds in September 1889 to paint.

This painting of olive trees was done on or near this spot.

Across the street is a two part Roman Mausoleum called 

Les Antiques de Glanum dedicated to the parents of three prominent

 Roman brothers.

This monument base with the upper tower dates back to 

20-30 av J C (Julius Cesar calendar)

Notice the carved detail of the leaves, fruits and flowers. The monument was found in the abandoned ruins of Glanum an old Roman city near St. Remy.

Saumane de Vaucluse

The village of Saumane de Vaucluse is located on top of the Vaucluse Plateau overlooking the Sorgue River valley.

This stone shed known as a borie was built to hold farm tools and homes.

Saint Trophime Church is an example of Romanesque architecture.  The small bell tower holds the original bell made in 1400.

The village is full of Provencal clothes washing wells and fountains. There are many narrow windy streets and dry stone walls.

Erosion of the limestone cliffs has carved caves in the hillside.

During the Neolithic age (stone age before tools) man used caves as homes.  In recent times man blocked the cave entrances with limestone bricks and converted the caves to troglodyte homes (domesticated cave dwellings). These examples have been abandoned.

Vaison la Romaine in Provence

Vaison la Romaine is a 2,000 year old Roman Army Garrison town.

This Roman built bridge connects the old town chateau to town.

The upper fortified medieval old town was built about 1195.

Luberon Hill Towns in Provence

Leaving the Roman bridge we drove further south to Luberon Hill towns.

The local cafe in Bonnieux was busy with locals who either walked, road bike or drove their tractor for morning coffee.

The town is known for its great views of the valley and Luberon Mountains.

Hikers must have been using the same GPS route to the next town.

The Chateau de Lourmarin near town center at Lourmarin.

This area of Lourmarin is where 

author Peter Mayle wrote several books on life in Provence.

Town plaza fountain

Local mail delivery by scooter entertained us during lunch. The carrier was very animated by shouting his arrival to local merchants and showing how fast he could drive his scooter.

At Lacoste across the valley from Bonnieux we passed the 

Marquis de Sade castle now home to

 clothing designer Pierre Cardin who remodeled the lower level.  

Le Pont Julien Bridge

The Roman Empire lasted 1,000 years. The Empire expanded north to Scotland, south to Egypt, west to Spain and east to what is now Iraq.

France has many Roman ruins including this three arched bridge built 2,000 years ago near Village of Bonnieux in Provence.

Pont Julien Bridge is 215 ft. long.

The inverted keystone at the top center of the arch is where the stacks meet and their weight holds them in place without mortar.

Detail how the stones fit together and will not move sideways.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

The picturesque village of Fontaine de Vaucluse upstream about 6 miles from Isle Sur la Sorgue.

The Sorgue de Vauclase River flows from a spring at the bottom of a limestone cliff at the end of a narrow green canyon.

This spot was popular during ancient Roman times.  

The spring is the largest in Europe.

Along the path the cliff walls have many natural caves.

At the spring site there is a barrier to prevent people from climbing the rocks down to the site of the spring. You cannot see the spring unless you climb down.

The funnel shaped spring is 308 meters deep.

Rainwater and melting snow flows into mountain catch basins and comes out at the Fontaine de Vaucluse. 

Secondary springs flow into the river.

After a long hike up to the source, people relax as this outdoor cafe.

Paper making plant came to this village about 1562. Wooden waterwheels at the river bank were the power source.  

These mallets pounded cotton rags into paper pulp.

This mixing kettle held the pulp until it was made into paper. Modern technology closed area paper making plants in 1968.