Les Baux is an old town full of winding streets, and in it on top of a hill is an old fortress called Le Chateau Des Baux (inventive!). There was a lot of bauxite mined around it, which is how bauxite got its name. The fortress is really cool. It was ruined by the town voluntarily because it became a haven for rebels. Everything about it has a sort of feeling of time, of things destroyed. It would be the coolest thing if it was actually still whole because there are lots of floors and arches that are obvious, but there is no possible way to get to them. It's insanely huge, with absolutely magnificent views from the high watch towers. The place was virtually impregnable because of the height advantages. Just on the ground, you can see for miles and miles. The highest part was really windy, and the stairs were so worn that I was seriously afraid of falling. It's awesome to look down and see all the different patches of ground that belong to different people and are laid out so diversely. Occasionally they do exhibitions of the gigantic catapults on display outside. Unfortunately, we were not able to see them.There is a small church where they play a movie showing off the grounds from above. I stayed for the exciting part at the beginning when there were some of the catapults and fencing tournaments. The town is really cool and has lots of candy/touristy shops. It was the kind of town that made you want to go explore. Les Baux is a really cool place to visit, I'd say.
Did you read Madam, Will You Talk before you went there? I'm pretty sure I read it at about the age you are now. It features the heroine visiting Les Baux and being pursued and fainting. Your description makes it very interesting to think about.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm thrilled to know where bauxite got it's name. Very geologic of you.