Executive summary by Darmansjah
Les Baux-de-Provence
is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the province of Provence in
southern France. 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 village gives its name to the aluminium ore bauxite, which was first
discovered there by geologist Pierre Berthier in 1821.
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
(the biggest Trebuchet in Europe,[citation needed] a Couillard also called
biffa and a Bricole) are given every day from April to September.
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