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PROVENCIAL IMPRESSIONS

Les Baux-de-Provence

If travels take you to France's Provence, tiny Les Baux-de-Provence is a must-see and the perfect wandering base. The ancient Château Les Baux sits atop a precipice plateau with its modern-day hamlet below squeezed between two hollowed-out arms of the Alpilles mountains.

The region oozes Roman history: Their triple arched, beautiful-from-any-angle, mortar-less Pont du Gard has withstood the ravages of floods for 2,000 years - reason enough for its UNESCO covenant. See fascinating Nîmes has two UNESCO treasures: their Roman amphitheatre and preserved temple Maison Carée.

Arles, another nearby Roman town is renowned for its World Heritage arena, ancient theater, and preserved baths. Centuries later, after a stay in picturesque St Remy, Van Gogh's last two years were spent here madly painting. Water still gushes from aqueducts on the outskirts of town while off a hidden country road other aqueduct remnants lead to nowhere.

Arles Arena
La Riboto Taven
La Riboto Taven
Maison Carée

As evening falls with the crowds departed, climb the ramparts of Les Baux's medieval château tracing its history from the 2nd century BC with its panoramic views of Les Alpilles across the Camargue to Marseilles and the distant Mediterranean.

Anchor your days at the tiny six room, jewel-like La Riboto de Taven. It and its pool are nestled between Les Alpilles and beautifully tended to by Christine and Philippe Theme. Then their meticulously prepared dinners are the perfect ending to the day.

Pont du Gard