Earliest writings about
the Château
It was in the 10th century that the first known texts mentioning the Balcium Castrum and a lord named Pons the Younger appeared.
Located in the heart of Provence, the Château des Baux is an ancient medieval fortress perched on its rocky outcrop.
This naturally elevated and fortified position on the Plateau des Baux allowed for observation of the surrounding area and protection, which likely explains why it has been occupied from very early times and almost continuously to this day.
The site of the Château has been inhabited almost continuously from Prehistory to the present. According to legend, the House of Baux descends from the Magi king Balthazar, known as Bautezar in Provençal.
That is why the coat of arms of the Lords of Baux features a silver sixteen-rayed comet, the star followed by the Magi, along with their motto “A l’asard Bautezar,” meaning “at random, Balthazar.”
The first mention of the Baux appears in a donation charter in which the name Pons the Younger is found. But it was his grandson, Hugues, who around 1030, first took the surname “des Baux.”
Beginning of the
Baussenque Wars
In the Middle Ages, the House of Baux was one of the great Provençal families. Originally, the lands of the Baux were concentrated around the towns of Arles and Marignane.
In the 12th century, the sole heiress of the County of Provence married the Count of Barcelona. Provence thus came under the authority of the Catalan dynasty.
This authority was strongly contested, especially by the Lords of Baux. Raymond des Baux, husband of Etiennette of Provence, claimed a share of the inheritance.
This led to three brief conflicts between 1144 and 1162 known as the “Baussenque Wars.”
Large-scale
works
Lords Hugues III and Barral I of Baux each launched major construction campaigns during their time.
The castle was largely rebuilt to become a more effective and prestigious fortress.
The original fortifications were replaced by a keep that took advantage of the natural rock formation and served as a support for the other buildings of the château.
At that time, the House of Baux ruled over 79 towns and strongholds known as les terres Baussenques, a testament to their power.
This dynasty left a lasting mark on the history of Provence through the influence and bold, rebellious character of its warrior lords.
Raymond
de Turenne
This century belongs to Raymond de Turenne, Lord of Les Baux.
In the early years of his rule, Raymond de Turenne was known for supporting the royal authority. But, ignored despite his loyalty, he eventually rebelled, defying both the court of Provence and papal power.
A ruthless and cynical lord, he was sentenced to death and excommunicated.
Unfazed by these judgments, he surrounded himself with bands of raiders between 1386 and 1398, launching attacks and setting fire to towns and villages. He thus became infamously known as the “Scourge of Provence.”
After
the Baux lineage came to an end
Alix des Baux was the last heir to the terres Baussenques. Upon her death in 1426, she bequeathed her lands by will to a distant relative, Duke Guillermo of Andria.
Following a series of sieges and wars, the Lordship eventually passed by inheritance to René of Anjou, known as “Good King René.”
Upon his death in 1480, his possessions were inherited by his nephew, Charles III of Maine. When Charles died in December 1481, Provence and Les Baux were annexed to the Kingdom of France, becoming part of the royal domain.
At the beginning of the 16th century, a prosperous period began for the town. The residential buildings of the Château were partially rebuilt.
Montmorency restored the ruined fortress and introduced Italian Renaissance architecture to Provence.
Les Baux
stronghold of rebels
The Wars of Religion threatened this brief period of peace, and Les Baux - which had already become a center of Protestantism under the Manville family in 1571 - were now viewed with suspicion by the King’s representatives.
In 1631, the fortress once again fell into the hands of insurgents. The royal decision to suppress the Parliament of Provence had sparked a revolt in Aix-en-Provence, led by Gaston of Orléans against his brother, King Louis XIII. After being stopped by Prince de Condé, some of the rebels fled and took refuge in Les Baux.
Cardinal Richelieu then ordered the destruction of this rebellious stronghold and commanded the town be besieged. Despite a heroic 27-day defense, the gates were eventually opened. Weary of war and pillaging, the inhabitants of Les Baux themselves requested the dismantling of the ramparts. With gunpowder and pickaxes, the high walls were torn down, and the citadel of Les Baux finally surrendered to royal authority.
In 1642, the fief of Les Baux was elevated to a marquisate and granted to Honoré II of Grimaldi by Louis XIII, as thanks for expelling the Spanish from Monaco. The title of Marquis of Les Baux has since been passed down to his descendants, and today it is held by Prince Albert of Monaco.
Return
to glory
It was not until the early 19th century that the citadel of Les Baux emerged from oblivion.
A scientific discovery brought attention to this town-turned-village: a chemist named Berthier found a red rock in the area that made it possible to produce aluminum. He named it bauxite.
In 1945, the opening of the famous restaurant L’Oustau de Baumanière by Raymond Thuillier attracted heads of state, artists, and notable figures.
Their visits marked the rediscovery of Les Baux by a wide audience, drawn to the unique character of this place.
Siege
machine
In 2007, three siege engines - modern reconstructions based on medieval drawings - were installed: the great trebuchet, the battering ram, and the ballista.
The trebuchet at Château des Baux, standing 17 meters tall, is a unique model in Europe featuring a quarry wheel winding system, unlike more basic trebuchets that use a winch mechanism.
Les Baux
today
Les Baux-de-Provence has inherited a rich heritage enjoyed by two million visitors each year.
Gastronomy, local products, refinement, the Provençal art of living, and nature conservation are now the guiding principles of the village.