Les Baux de Provence

Continuing our exploration of the south of France, today, we went to the area of les Alpilles, which hosts (among other wonderful places) the town of Les Baux de Provence -- a small village built on and into cliffs and made entirely of stone. It's listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France -- and I can well see why: it's the most unusual living place I've ever seen! The pic is of one of its streets.

Traces of inhabitants date back to prehistory and the earliest writings (in the 10th century) document the first fortress.

It's but a little speck of a town, home to 22 full-time residents within the walls of the city and another 380 outside its walls. Yet it attracts over a million and a half visitors a year (most of them, I suspect, during the months of summer -- traffic has got to be a nightmare there). It also has the highest density of stores per square meter that I've ever seen! :)

We also stopped at a winery located in a chateau, with the most pristine grounds ever. They were in the midst of picking the grapes and processing them.

And, we did a 'degustation' of olive oils. The differences in flavors is amazing! Yes, in this corner of the world, you can find wineyards right next to olive tree plantations. And both hold equal economic weight.

We stopped in Arles on the way back to the house -- more amphitheaters and narrow quaint alleys among stone buildings.

Tomorrow, we're off to the Riviera (or cote d'Azur as we say) to zip around that area for a week. :)