Les-Baux-de-Provence Restaurants

Picturesque and quaint little village in the Alpilles, Les-Baux-de-Provence is a little piece of history not only for the French, but civilization itself, with traces of life and habitation being found to date back as far as 6000 BC.

It is named one of France’s highly selected group of “Most beautiful Villages in France” and was once described by 19th Century radical French journalist thus in a letter to legendary French sculptor Antoine Bordelle: “Everything here speaks of families and eternity.” “I know of no place more admirable than Les Baux. The countryside separates us from all that we find offensive… It reveals all that we have which is great, all that is real; it turns this inner greatness into a vocation… In Les Baux, grandeur has charm and charm is filled with a sense of grandeur.”

Uniquely placed at a strategic position at the top of a hill, the village is charming and rustic, magical even. Springing up around the castle as its nucleus and with what seems like the very world at its feet, Les-Baux-de-Provence is indeed a sight to behold. Along with its rich heritage perhaps this location is one of the reasons it has been also called “the flagship of Provence”.

Famous for its olives; rich, full bodied olive oil and delectable wines, Les-Baux-de-Provence has many restaurants that specialize in typical French Provencal fare, using only the finest of fresh ingredients. The village is home of the celebrated Oustau de Baumaniere hotel, which placed this magical village and its gourmet cuisine on the international map post World War II. This resulted in it being opened up to visits from the crème de la crème of cosmopolitan society which lead to its eventual revival and renovation.

Within an area of just 17 square kilometres and containing a population of less than five hundred, this little village has a homely and friendly atmosphere so very typical of a traditional French Provencal community. Les-Baux-de-Provence is a rustic melting pot of street-side cafes, paved courtyards, alleys and little fountains. French flavoured Provencal markets and charming, friendly villagers combine to make this a story book setting reminiscent of Disney’s Belle and her romance with the Beast, in which she skips through the village early each morning singing her lilting tune about Provencal life…