Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence

Coat of arms
Les Baux-de-Provence

Coordinates: 43°44′38″N 4°47′43″E / 43.7439°N 4.7953°E / 43.7439; 4.7953Coordinates: 43°44′38″N 4°47′43″E / 43.7439°N 4.7953°E / 43.7439; 4.7953
Country France
Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department Bouches-du-Rhône
Arrondissement Arles
Canton Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Intercommunality Vallée des Baux
Government
 • Mayor (2009–2014) Michel Fénard
Area1 18.07 km2 (6.98 sq mi)
Population (2010)2 436
 • Density 24/km2 (62/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 13011 / 13520
Elevation 52–310 m (171–1,017 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Les Baux-de-Provence (Occitan: Lei Bauç de Provença) is a French commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the province of Provence in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France.[1] It has a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, set atop a rocky outcrop that is crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. Its name refers to its site: in Provençal, a bauç is a rocky spur. , The name bauxite (Aluminium ore) is derived from the village name when it was first discovered there by geologist Pierre Berthier in 1821.

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Baussencs or Baussenques.[2]

It is one of the most beautiful villages in France.[3] and has over 1.5 million visitors per year[4] although it has only 22 residents in the upper part of the commune and 436 for the whole commune.

Geography

Les Baux-de-Provence is located in the foothills of the Alpilles in the Parc Naturel Regional des Alpilles some 22 km south of Avignon and 15 km north-east of Arles. Access to the commune is by the D27 road from Maussane-les-Alpilles in the south which passes through the village and continues north to join the D99 east of Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles. The D5 also comes from Maussane-les-Alpilles in the south and passes through the east of the commune as it goes north to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The D27A links the two roads in the commune. The D78F branches from the D27 in the commune and goes south-west to join the D17 west of Paradou. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Mes de Mai, Carita, and Manville. The commune is farmland in the south-east and forested hills in the rest.[5][6]

The commune is traversed by numerous streams which are called "gaudres". A Gaudre (from the Provençal Gaudre meaning "small stream") refers to a river often dry in summer and with low flow the rest of the year. The main gaudres in the commune are the Gaude de Valmouirane with numerous trutaries flowing north to join the Canal du Vigueirat north of Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles. The Gaudre du Mas de Chevrier also with numerous tributaries flows west to join the Gaudre d'Auge west of the commune. The Gaudre d'Entreconque flows from the north-east to south to join the Gaudre de la Foux which continues south to join the Canal des Pompes south of Maussane-les-Alpilles.[5][6]

Mapping

A list of online mapping systems can be displayed by clicking on the coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the top right hand corner of this article.

Neighbouring communes and villages

 Mas-Blanc-des-Alpilles Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Fontvieille Eygalières
   Les Baux-de-Provence  
Paradou Maussane-les-Alpilles

[5]

Climate

The climate in Les Baux-de-Provence, as in the rest of the Alpilles, is considered Mediterranean. The winters are mild and dry and summers hot and dry. The average maximum temperature is in July and August (29 °C) with the lowest average minimum temperature in December and January (+ 3 °C). The wettest month is January with an average of 7 days of rain against two days in July.[7] The Alpilles region receives more rainfall than the shores of the Mediterranean: 500 mm / year in Camargue against 600 to 700 mm / year in Les Baux.

Major frosts are rare but were more frequent in the 19th century as evidenced by the numerous occasions of the freezing of the Rhône which has been virtually unknown since then.

The mistral violently blows from the north or north-west especially in winter and spring. The Alpilles deflect the wind but it blows in Baux almost as strong as in the north of the chain. The mistral blows strongly 100 days a year on average and less strong on 83 days lesving only 182 days a year without wind.[8]

There are two types of Mistral: the "white mistral" on clear days and the "black mistral", rarer, which is accompanied by rain.

Toponymy

The name Baux-de-Provence comes from the Occitan Bauc ('BAWS) according to the classical norm and in Provençal baus according to the Mistralian norm meaning "upright", "cliff", or "rocky escarpment". This root is found in other place names such as Baou de Saint-Jeannet.

By a decree of 7 August 1958 published in the Official Journal of 12 August 1958 and with effect from 13 August 1958, Les Baux became Les Baux-de-Provence. The commune is called Lei Bauc de Provença in Provençal according to the classical norm or Li Baus de Prouvènço according to the Mistralian norm.

The name bauxite, the ore for aluminum, takes its name from the commune which was where it was mined for the first time.

Les Baux-de-Provence appears as Les Baux on the 1750 Cassini Map[9] and the same on the 1790 version.[10]

History

Reproduction of a balista.
Reproduction of a trebuchet.

Prehistory and Ancient times

Trémaïé Bas-relief

The defensive capabilities of Baux have always made it an attractive location for human habitation. Traces of habitation have been found and dated to 6000 BC. in the Costapéra cave which was discovered in 1928 and which houses a collective burial ground from the early Bronze Age.[11] The site was used by the Celts as a fort or oppidum around the 2nd century BC. Peripheral areas or castrum developed very early as evidenced by the Trémaïé.[12] The way from the Baux oppidum to the plains north of the Alpilles was by a protohistoric way through the valley of Laval and the town of Glanon which later took the name Glanum.[13]

While Protohistory was strongly marked by pastoralism and agriculture in the Alpilles, limestone was also extracted from quarries around Baux where a workshop from the end of the 2nd and early 1st centuries BC has been found.[12] In the second part of the Iron Age (7th to 6th centuries. BC), the population was sedentary and began to build durable houses. The castrum was structured like a village with its streets and houses. The process of permanent construction was in parallel with the intensification of economic exchanges with Mediterranean traders. In exchange for luxury goods, the inhabitants of the Alpilles produced grain and achieved a state of autarky with a real trading economy. Over the following centuries the population of the Alpilles consistently decreased: the Greek colony at Arles attracted many people from across the region.[13]

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages the area became the stronghold of a feudal domain covering 79 towns and villages. The fortress was built from the 11th to the 13th century over seven hectares. The princes of Baux controlled Provence for many years and they gained a formidable reputation. They were said to be descended from the Biblical Magi Balthazar and their coat of arms was a silver star with sixteen branches as a reminder that, according to the Gospel, it guided the three wise men to Bethlehem. Their motto was: "Au hasard, Balthazar" (At random, Balthazar).

Main article: Lords of Baux

As a medieval stronghold on the borders of Languedoc, Comtat Venaissin, and Provence, the fortress had a turbulent military history and has been the subject of many assaults. The solid dungeon that still dominates the village today reiterates the importance of this castle which was a desirable possession in the Middle Ages.

At the end of the Baussenque Wars in the 12th century the princes of Baux were defeated. The large castle began to be renowned for its highly cultivated court and chivalrous conduct. The estate finally came to an end in the 15th century after the death of the last princess of Baux.

Main article: Château des Baux

The death of Queen Joanna I of Naples led to a crisis of succession to the County of Provence. The cities of the Aix Union (1382-1387) supported Charles, Duke of Durazzo, against Louis I, Duke of Anjou. The King of France, Charles VI, intervened and sent the Seneschal of Beaucaire, Enguerrand d'Eudin, who rallied Guillaume III Roger de Beaufort. Les Baux, the possession of the Roger, was thus neutral at the beginning of war and on the Angevin side at the end of the decade.[14]

The Ancien regime

Les Baux, together with Provence, was then attached to the crown of France. Under the rule of the Manville family, the village became a center of Protestantism and even tried a rebellion against the crown. In 1631, tired of conflict, the people negotiated with the king for the redemption of the castle territory and the right to dismantle the fortifications, "which were a refuge for rebels". Louis XIII consented on 5 August.[15]

In 1642 the town was offered the Grimaldi family as a marquisate in favour of Hercule de Grimaldi, Prince of Monaco (1642-1780). The title Marquis of Baux is still carried by the Prince of Monaco. Administratively, the town is entirely French and the title of Marquis of Baux is traditionally given to the heir to the throne of Monaco. Jacques, the son of the current Prince of Monaco Albert II, carries among his many titles that of Marquis of Baux.

Modern Period

In 1822 bauxite was discovered in the area by geologist Pierre Berthier. The ore was intensively mined until its exhaustion at the end of the 20th century.

Today

Les Baux is now given over entirely to the tourist trade, relying on a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in France. Its population of 22 in the old village is a fraction of its peak population of over 4,000, and many of its buildings (in particular the castle) are picturesque ruins.

In the Château des Baux demonstrations of huge catapults (a Trebuchet, a Couillard also called a biffa, and a Mangonel) are given every day from April to September.

Heraldry

 The Coat of Arms is that of the Lords of Baux with the star of the Nativity.

Blazon:
Gules, a star of 16 points Argent.

Administration

The Town Hall

List of Successive Mayors[16]

From To Name Party Position
1995 2009 Gérard Jouve[17]
2009 Michel Fenard

(Not all data is known)

Intercommunality

Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the ten communes of the community of communes of the Valley of Baux.

Twinning

According to a plaque at the entrance to the town, the commune is twinned with that of Bonneval-sur-Arc, (France).

Demography

In 2010 the commune had 436 inhabitants. The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger communes that have a sample survey every year.[Note 1]

Population Change (See database)
1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1836 1841 1846 1851
3,531 394 575 506 510 498 495 484 431
1856 1861 1866 1872 1876 1881 1886 1891 1896
412 404 415 395 360 350 367 337 338
1901 1906 1911 1921 1926 1931 1936 1946 1954
355 301 300 216 220 204 198 151 180
1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2006 2010 -
253 295 367 433 457 434 381 436 -

Sources : Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962, INSEE database from 1968 (population without double counting and municipal population from 2006)

Economy

Baux-de-Provence Olive oil

The economy of the commune is based on tourism arising from the cobbled streets of the town and from the castle, the cultivation of vines, and small craft workshops.

Population and income tax

In 2012 the median household income tax was €22,376.[18]

Olive growing

The commune produces Olive oil of the valley of Les Baux-de-Provence which is protected by appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) by a decree issued by INAO on 27 August 1997. The olive varieties that go into its preparation are: Salonenque, Béruguette, Grossane, and Verdale of Bouches-du-Rhône.[19] Crushed olives and black olives are also produced that fall under the INAO degree. The varieties of crushed olives broken are Salonenque and Béruguette. For black olives only the variety Grossane is acceptable.[20][21]

Viticulture

The commune is classified AOC for its Coteaux-des-baux-en-provence wines. This AOC was created by decree on 20 April 1995 for red and rosé wines. They were first classified VDQS by an order of 23 January 1956 for Coteaux-d'aix-en-provence. A second decree dated 24 December 1985 allowed the use of the generic name Les Baux recognizing the specific identity of the vineyards of the Baux region covering seven communes in the Alpilles. Production is 15,500 hectolitres per year: 75% red and 25% rosé.[22]

Alpilles wine country is a Vin de pays north of Bouches-du-Rhône which aims to labellise, after tasting, wines which do not come under the designation of origin Coteaux-des-baux-de-Provence. There are two other lesser known IGP: Mediterranean and Bouches-du-Rhône. This last IGP can produce great wines under this label such as Trevallon.[23] Until 2000 Alpilles Vin de pays was called La Petite Crau. Production is about 6000 hectolitres. The vineyard, located on a rocky plateau, is bordered in the north by the Durance and in the south by the Alpilles.[24]

Sites and Monuments

The château.
The Post Tenebras Lux window
The Saint-Blaise Chapel
The Saint-Blaise Chapel

Civil heritage

The commune has many buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments:

Religious heritage

The commune has several religious buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments:

Culture

Les Baux-de-Provence has a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars, L'Oustau de Baumanière.[60]

Films made in the commune

Picture Gallery

The village of Baux-de-Provence, view from the D27 to the north-west.

Environmental heritage

Flora

The flora in the commune is mainly xerophytic and Mediterranean Phytochorion. The botanist Bernard Girerd counted 800 plant species in 1992.[62] Apart from the olive tree, characteristic of a maussanais landscape, there are also hackberries, small sized Kermes oak, and Shadbush. Protected plant species, such as the summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) and Hélianthème (Helianthemum lavandulaefolium), are found at the bottom of the valleys.

Fauna

Many animal species nest in the Alpilles and can be seen in the commune. The most famous is the Bonelli's eagle, a protected species, as well as the Egyptian vulture, the lesser kestrel and the Eurasian eagle-owl.[63]

The arid rocks are home to a species of lizard emblematic of the Alpilles: the ocellated lizard which is also considered threatened and protected.[63]

There are many mammals in the commune - especially in the valleys. Wild boar abounds and its population is growing. Conversely, the number of hares and rabbits have tended to decrease. The reason seems to be the outbreak of myxomatosis in 1953 that caused havoc in the population, and, since the end of the 20th century, Rabbit haemorrhagic disease causing the decline of the species. The scarcity of these rodents could pose longer term problems for the survival of species of birds of prey that feed on them.

Other species include foxes, European badgers, weasels, voles, and shrews. There are also some bats nesting in the commune.

See also

Bibliography

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ At the beginning of the 21st century, the methods of identification have been modified by Law No. 2002-276 of 27 February 2002, the so-called "law of local democracy" and in particular Title V "census operations" allows, after a transitional period running from 2004 to 2008, the annual publication of the legal population of the different French administrative districts. For communes with a population greater than 10,000 inhabitants, a sample survey is conducted annually and the entire territory of these communes is taken into account at the end of the period of five years. The first "legal population" after 1999 under this new law came into force on 1 January 2009 and was based on the census of 2006.

References

  1. ↑ Les Baux-de-Provence on Lion1906
  2. ↑ Inhabitants of Bouches-du-Rhône (French)
  3. ↑ Les Baux-de-Provence on the most beautiful villages in France website
  4. ↑ Les Baux de Provence on Provenceweb (French)
  5. 1 2 3 Les Baux-de-Provence on Google Maps
  6. 1 2 Les Baux-de-Provence on the Géoportail from National Geographic Institute (IGN) website (French)
  7. ↑ Cliamte of Les Baux-de-Provence Holidaycheck website (French)
  8. ↑ "The Climate", in Les Alpilles, Encyclopedia of a Provençal Mountain, H. Bruneton, Les Alpes de Lumière, Forcalquier, 2009, p. 23-24 (French)
  9. ↑ Les Baux on the 1750 Cassini Map
  10. ↑ Les Baux on the 1790 Cassini Map
  11. ↑ "The Alpilles and La Montagnette", Archaeological Map of Gaul, Vol. 13/2, 1999, p. 118 (French)
  12. 1 2 "The People of the Alpilles during the Iron Age", in The Alpilles, Encyclopedia of a Provençal Mountain, P. Arcelin, p. 143 (French)
  13. 1 2 Y. Marcadal, "The oppida of the Alpilles", in The Alpilles, Encyclopedia of a Provençal Mountain, p. 146 (French)
  14. ↑ Geneviève Xhayet, Partisans and Adversaries of Louis of Anjou during the war with the Union of Aix, Provence historique, Fédération historique de Provence, volume 40, No. 162, "Author of the war of the Union of Aix", 1990, p. 407 and 413 (note 61). (French)
  15. ↑ Gustave Noblemaire, History of the House of Baux, p. 162-163 (French)
  16. ↑ List of Mayors of France (French)
  17. ↑ Gérard Jouve, Mayor of Baux, rallying even in death, 13 August 2009, La Provence, consulted on 5 July 2015 (French)
  18. ↑ INSEE Revenue and Poverty of households 2012 (French)
  19. ↑ Olive oil of the Valley of Baux-de-Provence AOC (French)
  20. ↑ Cruished Olives of the Valley of Baux-de-Provence AOC (French)
  21. ↑ Black Olives of the Valley of Baux-de-Provence AOC (French)
  22. ↑ Coteaux-des-baux-de-provence (AOC) on the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine INAO website (French)
  23. ↑ Les Baux-de-Provence, viticultural commune, Vin Vigne, Placido Llorca, 2012, consulted on 2 July 2012 (French)
  24. ↑ Louis Menjucq, President of ANIVIT (under the direction of), Vins de pays of France, Romain Pages, Saint-Cloud, 1991, ISBN 2908878151, p. 86 (French)
  25. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13000461 Town Doors (French)
  26. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081210 Communal Oven (French)
  27. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081216 Jean de Brion House (French)
  28. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081212 Hôtel de Manville (French)
  29. ↑ September of Ceramoics and Glass Exhibition (French)
  30. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081219 Restes de la Maison du Roi House (French)
  31. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081223 Tour de Braü House (French)
  32. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081204 Baumes de Roucas site (French)
  33. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081225 Ramparts (French)
  34. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081224 Pavillon Mistral (French)
  35. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081222 Les Remparts House (French)
  36. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081221 Eyguières Portal (French)
  37. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081220 Nicolas Martel House (French)
  38. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081218 Maison de Lère (French)
  39. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081217 Jean Laugier House (French)
  40. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081215 Bertrand Mocadeu House (French)
  41. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081214 Town Hall (French)
  42. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081213 Hôtel des Porcelets (French)
  43. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081211 Hospital (ruins) (French)
  44. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081208 Castle (ruins) (French)
  45. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13000460 Trimaie and Gaie headstones (French)
  46. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081205 Military Milestone (French)
  47. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée IA13000988 Mas de la Guerre Garden (French)
  48. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée IA13001069 Caves de Sarragan (French)
  49. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13000459 Chandelier (French)
  50. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13000458 Cross: Christ on the Cross (French)
  51. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13000457 Altar, Altar seating, Tabernacle, and Exposition (French)
  52. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081209 Church of Saint Vincent (French)
  53. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13001078 Frame (French)
  54. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13001065 Glass Wall (French)
  55. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13001064 Officer of King René Tombstone (French)
  56. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13001064 Painting: Saint Vincent (French)
  57. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081207 Chapel Saint-Blaise (French)
  58. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081206 Chapel of the White Penitents (French)
  59. ↑ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM13001461 Bronze Bell (French)
  60. ↑ Michelin Guide Les Baux de Provence
  61. ↑ Festival of Alpilles website (French)
  62. ↑ "The Flora of the Alpilles", in Les Alpilles..., B. Girerd, p. 52 (French)
  63. 1 2 The Natural heritage of Alpilles (French)

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