Château des Baux


Crowning the village of Les Baux, these dramatic, maze-like ruins date from the 10th century. The clifftop castle was largely destroyed in 1633, during the reign of Louis XIII, and is a thrilling place to explore – particularly for rambunctious kids. Climb crumbling towers for incredible views, descend into disused dungeons and flex your knightly prowess with giant medieval weapons dotting the open-air site. Medieval-themed entertainment and hands-on action – shows, duels, catapult demonstrations and so on – abound in summer.

Joint tickets are available with the Carrières de Lumières (adult/child €18/16 in summer).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Carrières de Lumières

0.34 MILES

Inside the chilly galleries of a former limestone quarry, this peculiar but intriguing attraction is like an underground audiovisual art gallery, with…

2. Site Archéologique de Glanum

2.53 MILES

It might lack the scale and ambition of some of Provence's better-known Roman monuments, but for a glimpse into everyday life in Gaul, this ancient town…

3. Monastère St-Paul de Mausole

3.01 MILES

This monastery turned asylum is famous for one of its former residents – the ever-volatile Vincent van Gogh, who admitted himself in 1889. Safe within the…

4. Musée des Alpilles

3.55 MILES

An engaging little museum chronicling the area’s rich heritage, with fossils, dinosaur remains and other archaeological curiosities, as well as displays…

5. Musée Estrine

3.55 MILES

Modern and contemporary art exhibitions fill a beautiful 18th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion). There's also a recently expanded interpretation…

6. Hôtel de Sade

3.57 MILES

Reopened after an expensive program of renovations, this impressive Renaissance hôtel particulier was built in 1513 by Balthazar de Sade (ancestor of the…

7. Château de Tarascon

8.29 MILES

The mighty walls of the 15th-century Château de Tarascon rise straight out of the River Rhône, in the relaxed village of the same name. A beauty of a…