LES BAUX
The "Dead City" Castle Ruins
These castle ruins completely caught us off guard. They were fascinating and the kids LOVED running around all over them for hours. The city, Les Baux, is carved out of rock! It sits 650 feet above a valley! To say that I was slightly nervous that my children were going to fall off the edge is an understatement - I was terrified!! Especially with DANGER signs everywhere and one thin little metal rod to keep someone from falling that my kids were using as a swing.
See the right corner where the red flag is flying? One of the rulers forced 'unransomed prisoners' to jump off here. Yeah, the rulers could be quite mean.
Back in the Middle Ages it was know for it warriors. In the 11th c. it controlled 80 towns here in France. In 1426 it was merged into Provence and France, but didn't do too well since they weren't used to being ruled by someone else. The French king then destroyed Les Baux in 1483. It rose again and became a Protestant center, but argued with Rome and was destroyed in 1632 for good.
Isn't it incredible? This place is HUGE, it had to be to fit 4,000 people here! The kids loved exploring!
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