Les alpilles Moniquet » Les Alpilles

Defining the country around Les Alpilles

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:08:05 +0000

Let’s attempt to sketch a small region’s character (granted, each aspect lightly touched hereafter, is worth much more attention).
The region’s limits are somewhat arbitrary, or mostly a matter of feelings.
It extends around Les Alpilles with Les-Baux-de-Provence and its small valley, includes the Saint-Remy-de-Provence plain, to the North, part of the plain traversed by the Rhône river on the West with the cities of Tarascon, Beaucaire and of course Arles, extends South from Arles to include the Camargue, and to the East from Arles, the whole Crau valley to Salon-de-Provence.
Les Alpilles, a small but spectacular mountain range, are truly a lesson in geology: you can actually see the rock layers fold, undulate and break down. The range culminates at almost 400 m, just north of La Vallée des Baux, which is almost at sea level.
Around Les Baux, the earth is often red, from the iron oxide-rich mineral, well-known as an aluminum ore, and named “Bauxite” (worldwide) after that place.
Otherwise, Les Alpilles are mostly white limestone, which has been exploited for centuries.
That has left, in the peak under the castle of Les Baux, strange caves shaped after the huge blocks that have been carved out of the mountain. Some of these caves are still being used for wine aging.
The castle and tiny medieval village on top of the peak are what makes Les Baux famous today. From the castle, the sight extends to the sea if the haze allows.
For water is everywhere in the Vallée des Baux, which is irrigated by small canals and aqueducts actually dating back to the Roman empire.
Traces of the Roman presence abound, most famously in Glanum, just north of the range, near Saint-Remy-de-Provence.
So the Vallée des Baux is very green, but a wide palette of greens ranging from the olive tree to bamboos to cypresses and almond trees and mimosas, plus many fruit trees and the ubiquitous vine. Many people travel just to see the almond trees in full blossoming.
The region most famous product may be its olive oil, which some find superior to the best oils from Tuscany.
The olive fruit itself, and many products derived from olive and not just food, such as olive-scented soap for instance, are to be found on open air markets everywhere.
Also on these markets: a range of cotton materials printed with beautiful patterns of ancient tradition, with the recurring symbols of the olive branch and the cicada. The animal itself plays an important part in the summer concert, together with the cricket.
The cicada is of particular meaning to the guardians: the cow boys of Camargue, who wear cicadas all over their magnificent shirts.
Most difficult to describe is the gentleness of the lights in which the whole Vallée des Baux is basking.
Well known artists have been in love with the Vallée: the writer Alphonse Daudet, the painter Vincent Van Gogh.
The weather in the Vallée is one of the nicest in Europe, sunny except for a few days a year.
It remains rather mild in the summer whereas, less than 20 km away, it can be torrid in Camargue.
In winter however, the wind called Mistral, which builds up southwards along the Rhône valley, can be chilly.

Arles is the gateway to La Camargue, a very special piece of land and swamps, famous for its black bulls and white horses.
One cannot separate the Camargue and Arles from the bull fighting tradition, and certain (curious) cultural links with distant Spain.
Bull fighting is what once attracted to Arles no less than Hemingway and Picasso, Ava Garner, Peter Beard, not to mention the French celebrities: Yves Montant and Simone Signoret, Jean Cocteau. Arles’ amphitheatre still is on the circuit for spanish matadors … and flamenco players and singers.
Yet another link is maintained by the Gipsies, or Gitans, for whom one of the biggest yearly celebrations is the one being held in Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, between the Camargue swamps and a sandy Mediterranean beach.

Les Alpilles and Les Bouches-du-Rhône

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:04:02 +0000

Even when you know what you love about a place, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is absolutely specific to that place, and distinguish that from features inherited from the surrounding region.
Les Alpilles can be said to be a geological accident, in sharp contrast with the Northern plains of the Bouches-du-Rhône, and right in their middle.
Yet it is hard to separate them. If you spend some days in these quarters, you find yourself confronted with that accident upon every move. On the other hand, there is great unity in the landscape and the atmosphere across these plains, as well as the Rhône valley itself on the Western side of the Alpilles. As a result, whether you decide to traverse the range from Saint-Remy, North, to Les Baux on its Southern slopes, or to go around via Tarascon, you begin to integrate the range as a magnificent trick, something designed to make this part of the Bouches-du-Rhône perfectly balanced. Rather than an accident, it feels somewhat like the rock near the center of a japanese garden.
Bouches-du-Rhône is the name of a “Departement” (an administrative division comparable to a County), litterally meaning the Rhône’s Mouth, although the river’s delta is located downstream, beginning in Arles. But when you drive South in the Rhône valley, say from Lyon, along with the flow, you cannot miss the radical change that occurs in Avignon. It feels as if the valley widens there, and one enters the Bouches-du-Rhône shortly South of the city.
From Avignon, the Alpilles range is straight South, with the Rhône flowing to the South-West, and what appears, on a map, to be another branch flowing to the South-East, and toward the Côte-d’Azur. Except it actually is the river Durance flowing North-West, to join the Rhône South of Avignon !
( As a motorist, you have to make up your mind North of Avignon, precisely in Orange, between one highway leading to the Pyrénées and another leading to the Southern Alps. )
To summarize, then: the Northern plains of the Bouches-du-Rhône is the vast triangle widening South of Avignon, extending, along the Rhône toward the South-West, to the city of Arles and, toward the South-East, to Salon-de-Provence, with the Alpilles in the middle.
The Bouches-du-Rhône extends further South to include the Rhône’s delta and the Camargue, on the West, and to Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence to the East.

Les Baux-de-Provence and les Alpilles

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:03:55 +0000

If you plan to visit the western part of the Provence region in southern France, known as “les Bouches-du-Rhône”, you will not want to miss the site called les Baux-de-Provence.
“Les Baux”, for short, is a tiny village on the top of a large, somewhat tabular white rock, which it shares with the ruins of a medieval castle.
One cannot separate les Baux-de-Provence from les Alpilles, that is: physically speaking. The rock stands on the southern slopes of that small mountain range, whose name is, in effect, the French diminutive for Alps (although that name has a history of its own).
But whereas les Baux-de-Provence is a huge touristic attraction, a “must-see” where you feel like you’ve entered a postcard, or you’ve been hired as an extra in a Hollywood production, les Alpilles are for the wanderer, they cannot be “done” in an hour.
This is not to minimize the beauty of les Baux-de-Provence ! Rather, it is a warning that, if you really want to SEE les Baux, some precautions are in order. The view from les Baux might hold you for some time, because it really is breathtaking, but otherwise it is a small place, that even the meticulous will have visited in a couple of hours.
Les Alpilles is something entirely different, with other dimensions, requiring probably several days to embrace.

Talking around Les Alpilles

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:11:40 +0000

” In the summer, one will at once love the light and the burnt heath scent from the pinewoods but, to become attached, you have to go
further to the heart.

Take a break on the market place in Maillane and cool off in a café, buy bread at the lovely baker’s in Maussane, go full circle around the Vaccarès pool, and, from the top of the castle in les Baux, embrace space.

People talk willingly in our region, one narrates oneself, one’s own life and other’s lifes, those who are gone, even those who are present, rumours circulate, legends take shape, true or false, who cares ! Under the micocoulier trees, telling is an art and a pleasure …
I’ve been told that my neighbour is painting the portrait of one of his cousins’ dog, she lives in Saint Remy, he’s an old lover who cannot propose, and there’s also the wine merchant who is a poet, but he has to like you in order to read one of his pieces to you while you’re busy tasting …

And then, in the winter, when the sky is eye-blue, tourists have deserted, grapes have been harvested and olives picked, I’ll go to town, walk in the streets of Arles the beautiful, get myself warm in some bars, listening to gypsy guitar, wander around the boutiques in the city’s center, talk about bulls and horses and football, and even though I don’t know a thing about them. ” ( Jacques Moniquet talking )

Les baux de Provence France – introduction

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:35:18 +0000

If you are planning to visit the Les baux de Provence France region and you would like to know about the local geographical conditions, climate and a few other facts about this region, then please continue reading as this article has the above details plus a lot more.

Les baux de Provence France is located in southern France and is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. This region has a spectacular view of the Alpilles Mountains and the Les baux de Provence France is a rocky region. Les baux de Provence France is considered one of the most picturesque villages in France and the 22 villages in this region have a fraction of the total population of the entire region of Provence france. The name of the region “Baux” has been derived from the name of the rock “Bauxite” since this rock was first discovered in the Alpilles region.

Although most of the southern part of this Provence is exposed rock, the northern slopes on the other hand consist of thick forests and luck greenery. From the southern passes the road that leads up to Less Baux has plenty of olive groves and vineyards and tourists often stop by this area and taste the local wines.

At the entrance of the village the narrow cobbled streets and souvenir shops give this magnificent Provence a magical and royal look and the streets often remind people of France in the early 20th Century. Terrace cafes allow people to sit and enjoy a drink and some food while enjoying the beauty of the beautiful Les baux de Provence France.

Les baux de Provence France has a royal history that consists of castles and historical ruins. The Chateau Fortress has an entrance that has a high flat ridge on the top and the ruins of the fortress extending downwards. This fortress is known to have a magnificent view and is worth visiting if you are in the area. The Chateau Fortress in Les baux de Provence France is completely fascinating and it is well documented with many informative panels in both English and France made for the local public and for tourists from all around the world.

Golfing is a popular sport in Les baux de Provence France and the region offers many golf spots to play golf in while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Hiking is another popular sport of this region since most of Les baux de Provence France is covered in rocks and mountains, and professional hikers often come here just to climb on the Alpilles and other surrounding mountains.

Hence we can conclude that Les Baux de Provence France is an ideal spot for vacations if you are planning to enjoy the scenery, hike on the mountains, play a little golf or visit the historical ruins and fortresses of this area. This region is also famous for its wine and vineyards that are definitely worth a visit if you are planning to visit Les baux de Provence France.

Les Alpilles – in Provence France

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:12:13 +0000

Chateau les Alpilles

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:07:51 +0000

Chateau les Alpilles: A World-Class Attraction Worthy of a World-Class Destination

European countries are always equipped with the best hotels and accommodations in the world. After all, Europe is one of the favorite tourist destinations, with France and England at the forefront of the list. These two countries are incomparable; their beauty and cultural heritage are unlike any other that simply walking by a simple sidewalk in the middle of a great city such as Paris or Lyon or London is already enough of an experience.

But of course, even though the city or the country itself is a wonder, the key to any stay in any country is one’s accommodations. As they say, a truly good accommodation can make a simple stay in a simple destination worthwhile. Bad accommodations can easily ruin a vacation or a stay in a country simple because the accommodations set the mood for the entire trip.

Even if you explore the most beautiful sights in the most beautiful locations, you still need a good place where you can truly relax and further enjoy what the city or country has to offer. What more if you have good accommodations at a very good destination?

This is how the Chateau des Alpilles works. The Chateau des Alpilles is now a famed hotel in the Provence, located in the equally famed Saint Remy de Provence commune, one of the prime destinations in the Bouches du Rhone department of southern France.

The Chateau des Alpilles, as what one may expect from the name, was a former castle and farm. It was once named Mas de Gaillard, named after the owner of the farm, Charles Gaillard. Years later, a manor was built near the farmhouse, thus making it known as the Chateau des Alpilles. In 1979, the manor was bought by the Bon family, who took over the obviously historic property and repaired it from its dilapidated state. So the Chateau des Alpilles became a commercial establishment, a four-hotel in one of the country’s most atmospheric and picturesque regions. The Chateau des Alpilles truly uses full advantage of the department’s Mediterranean climate.

Its appearance gives Chateau des Alpilles a 19th century feel and look, and those who will stay at this magnificent establishment will feel as if they are residing in a different time thanks to the elaborate and intricate architecture of the manor. While already renovated, it still exudes the feel of a real 19th century residence.

And the Chateau des Alpilles has a few attractions of its own too. For instance, the park of the Chateau des Alpilles is an easy favorite, with its exotic array of flora, making it perfect for a casual stroll. The manor itself, a 21-room affair, is intimate and just stunning, boasting of a romantic yet cozy feel.

The Cypress Farm, which was the Mas de Gaillard, was hardly renovated to preserve its original look at feel. Meanwhile, its swimming pool may be considered as a simple affair, especially when you compare it to the amenities of the other hotels, but it makes full use of the atmosphere of the entire Chateau des Alpilles.

Mas Blanc les Alpilles

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:42:20 +0000

Mas Blanc les Alpilles: At the Threshold of Provence’s Beauty

Mas Blanc les Alpilles House

Mas Blanc les Alpilles is one of the numerous communes in the department of Bouches du Rhone, located in Provence, France. It is not a very popular commune, and other towns may be more popular because of its more distinct features and attractions. Among the more familiar communes would include the Les Baux de Provence commune (also in the Bouches du Rhone department) and the Maussane les Alpilles (popular for its olive oil, as it one of the top producers of olive oil in the country).

But this does not mean that Mas Blanc les Alpilles is without charms. After all, for a region in the country with the appealing Mediterranean climate and picturesque atmosphere, Mas Blanc les Alpilles in itself should be visual feast—it is certainly a worthy destination for tourists who love to get away from the busy and hectic life in cities such as Lyon or Paris. Other communes and other cities are probably more famed, but Mas Blanc les Alpilles provides a glimpse of France at its most raw and most pristine. Anyone who wants to see life in France without the unneeded complication should definitely give Mas Blanc les Alpilles a try.

Mas Blanc les Alpilles

Mas Blanc les Alpilles is described as a tiny village at the foot of La Montagnette and Les Alpilles. The Alpilles is the mountain range in region surrounded by a number of historic communes and towns. This commune northwest of the Bouches du Rhone is actually the smallest in the department with only 1.57 km2 of area. But despite that, it has a number of tourist establishments that can make the lives of vacationers more convenient and relaxing. This betrays the usual perception of people that the Mas Blanc les Alpilles has no such establishments because of its size.

For instance, while it has a number of commendable hotels, Mas Blanc les Alpilles is very close to the famed Chateau des Alpilles, the four star hotel in St. Remy de Provence that was previously a farmhouse owned by the Gaillard family. The farm, now called the Cypress Farm, is open to the public and is a popular attraction and venue for several private and public events.

Another sight to behold in Mas Blanc les Alpilles is the 13th century chapel of St. Lambert. This Romanesque chapel boasts of complex designs are beyond its time but can fully encapsulate what the era is all about.

But what many consider as Mas Blanc les Alpilles’ main attraction is how close it is to other communes and destinations in the department. Its close proximity to other communes is surely valuable to tourists. Besides St. Remy de Provence, Mas Blanc les Alpilles is also very close to Baux de province, Arles, and Baux de Provence, among others. Anyone who plans to visit these destinations can use Mas Blanc les Alpilles as their starting point or their base as no other commune provides a valuable access point.

Mas Blanc les Alpilles is also a delightful paradise for those who enjoy nature—while enjoying the beauty of France.

Les Alpilles – Provence’s Precious Getaway

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:22:53 +0000

One of these destinations is Les Alpilles, or Alpilles, a region in famed Provence, France. Provence is one of southeastern regions of the country, facing the Mediterranean. Les Alpilles is one of the towns of Bouches-du-Rhone, one of the departments or departments of Provence. Other departments include Var,

Vauckuse, Alpes-Maritimes, and Alpes-de-Haute. The Bouches-du-Rhone was created in 1790, along with other 82 departments, during the French Revolution. Bouches-du-Rhone was an important part of Provence’s history, and it is also one of the more popular destinations in France when nature and history is concerned. This department is closely related to the arts, thanks in part to its association with Vincent Van Gogh. Meanwhile, the Bouches-du-Rhone is also one of the top destinations because of its eye-catching Mediterranean landmarks and atmosphere, different from the usual hustle and bustle of Paris and other French cities.

Les Alpilles means “little Alpes.” The Alpilles itself is actually a mountain range, although Les Alpilles refers to the area and the surrounding towns and attractions near the mountain range. One of the more spectacular locations in this area is the Les Baux-de-Provence. Another is the Saint-Remy-de-Provence, famed for very rural look, the ruins of Glanum, and its association with Nostradamus and van Gogh. Arles, on the other hand, is famed for its attractions that show the remains of France’s Roman times. These sites include the Alyscamps, the Obelisque d’ Arles, and the Church of St. Trophime.

With its combination of Mediterranean charms, historical backdrops, and charming views, Les Alpilles may be a far cry from the cities’ more sophisticated look and feel—but it is definitely part of France’s overall beauty.

Les Alpilles Olives & Grapes

Les Alpilles: One of Provence’s Most Precious Getaways

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:22:00 +0000

Les Aplilles France

Everyone knows France is the most visited country in the world. In terms of attracting tourists, no other country can beat France—not even other powerhouse destinations such as America, Spain, Japan, and other countries. The appeal of France is obvious; it offers the same European feel England and other countries in the continent, what with the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles in Paris. Then there’s the Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks not only in the country or in

Europe, but the world. French cuisine is world-renowned, perhaps one of the popular European cuisines in the world. Needless to say, France has this regal, dignified ambiance—every street corner in Paris, for instance, feels like an actual tourist attraction for foreigners and tourists who haven’t fully explored the country before.

But France is not just Paris. France, while truly a marvel due to its standing as one of the progressive countries in the world, is more than just the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Versailles—or even other popular destinations such as Arc de Tromphe or the Centre Pompidou. While most of France’s main attractions center on human advancement, culture, and technology (after all, there of its most popular destinations are a museum, a tower, and a castle), it also has attractions that will appeal to those who enjoy the more laidback side of life.