MIREILLE'S MUSINGS: Eiffel Tower or Les Baux: tough choice

The two most visited sites in France. What would you pick? I must admit, maybe because I went during my last few days in Provence, nothing beats Les Baux for me. Especially if you visit Le Chateau, an exciting part too often skipped by visitors who go through the village and its great views and mix of nice with lots of junky stores (the change will happen soon with the people in the area not pleased with some recent additions like the (bad) candy store at the entrance of the village!) and don’t want to spend the time and small fee to see the “old” Les Baux.

When I was younger the chateau area was open to the public for free and we would go late afternoon when all the tourists had left and only the ones in the know would come to watch the sunset, and often to have dinner (pique-nique) on a long platform that would allow you to see the Méditerranée sea in the background. These days are gone but doing the visit has its rewards. There are now activities planned and the citadel allows you to see the three main periods of occupation and their respective dwellings (or remnants). Don’t miss the impressive citadel towers and their exquisite views of the surroundings.

Here are a few shots, though like so many pictures they don’t come close to being there, a truly magical experience.