Photo Show in Les Baux de Provence this Year

This year there is another terrific photo exhibition at the Musée Yves Brayer in Les Baux de Provence.

Le temps retrouvé showcases 50 works of celebrated photographer Robert Doisneau, so well-loved for his shots of street life, children, working people, the everyday and ordinary.  Throughout his long career (b Gentilly 1912 – d Montrouge 1994), he featured in top publications like Life, Point-de-Vue, Regards and Picture Post and won numerous awards. Continue reading here for the original Aixcentric article.

Musée Yves Brayer

Located in the heart of the old village of les Baux de Provence, this museum has a permanent collection of roughly 100 works by Yves Brayer (1907-1990). Born in Versailles on the outskirts of Paris, Brayer attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He is considered a “master of graphism and colour.” Brayer was attracted to the Mediterranean climate; living in Morocco, Spain and Provence, he painted many colourful landscapes.

Musée Yves Brayer (website)
Hôtel de Porcelet
Place François de Hérain,
13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
April to September: open daily 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 6:30 pm
October to March: 1 pm to 5:30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Closed: January, February and the beginning of March

Les Baux de Provence

Fortifications have long existed in the Alpilles because the cliffs and rocky outcroppings made for perfect defensive positions. Plus, the high places make it easy to spot signs of danger. Unfortunately, these fortifications were built of wood or earth for much of human history, so little or no trace remains today. But in the 10^th century, what we now call chateaux were made of stone.

Perched on an outcrop are remains of the medieval fortress of Les Baux. This castle was once one of the most powerful in France. Today the old village is a pedestrian-only zone, and all vehicles must park outside the ramparts. Visitors to Les Baux enjoy magnificent views of the Alpilles, vineyards, olive groves, and the Mediterranean on a clear day.

The village caters to tourists with its boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Tiny cobbled streets meander through the town at odd angles, but in the end, most of these routes lead to the castle at the top of Les Baux. A ticket is required to enter the Château les Baux and can be purchased in combination with the Carrières des Lumières multimedia show for a slight discount.

The village is classified as one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France.” The beauty of the village and surrounding Alpilles, a small range of mountains, make Les Baux de Provence a very popular place for visitors all year.

The name Les Baux refers to its site. In Provencal, a baou is a rocky spur. Bauxite, a rock with high aluminum content, was mined extensively in the area, but all the Bauxite was entirely extracted by the end of the 20th century.

The area surrounding Les Baux de Provence is known for producing high-quality olive oil. The olive oil pressed from this area is labelled AOC Vallee des Baux, an area covering about 4,250 acres in the heart of Les Alpilles.

Lunch Near Les Baux

Try any one of these restaurants for lunch, but please note that reservations are recommended.

Le Bistrot du Paradou
57 Avenue de la Vallée des Baux
13520 Paradou, France
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 54 32 70

Domaine de Manville
Bistrot de l’Aupiho
13520, les Baux de Provence
Tel: + 33 (0)4 90 54 40 20
Book your table or a golf and/or spa package

Le Clos Saint Roch
87 Avenue de la Vallée des Baux
13520 Maussane-les-Alpilles
Tel / Fax: +33 (0)4 90 98 77 15
leclosaintroch@yahoo.com
Reservations are accepted by email or phone
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays