Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yves Brayer Museum (Musée Yves Brayer)
This enjoyable museum lets you peruse three floors of paintings (Van Gogh-like Expres-
sionism, without the tumult) by Yves Brayer (1907-1990), who spent his final years here
in Les Baux. Like Van Gogh, Brayer was inspired by all that surrounded him, and by his
travels through Morocco, Spain, and the rest of the Mediterranean world. Pick up the de-
scriptive English sheet at the entry.
Cost and Hours:
€5, daily April-Sept 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:30, Oct-Dec and
March Wed-Mon 11:00-12:30 & 14:00-17:00, closed Jan-Feb, tel. 04 90 54 36 99,
•
Next door is...
St. Vincent Church
This 12th-century Romanesque church was built short and wide to fit the terrain. The
center chapel on the right (partially carved out of the rock) houses the town's traditional
Provençal processional chariot. Each Christmas Eve, a ram pulled this cart—holding a
lamb, symbolizing Jesus, and surrounded by candles—through town to the church.
•
As you leave the church, WCs are to the left and up the stairs. Directly in front of the
churchisavastview,makingclearthestrategicvalueofthisrockybluff'snaturalfortific-
ations. A few steps away is the...
Chapel of Penitents
Inside, notice the nativity scene painted by Yves Brayer, illustrating the local legend that
says Jesus was born in Les Baux. On the opposite wall, find his version of a starry night.
Leaving the chapel, turn left.
• As you leave the church, wash your shirt in the old town “laundry”—with a pig-snout
faucet and 14th-century stone washing surface designed for short women.
Continue down steep Rue de la Calade, passing cafés with wonderful views, the
town's fortified wall, and one of its two gates. Before long, you'll run into the...
Museum of Santons
This free and worthwhile “museum” displays a collection of
santons
(“little saints”), pop-
ular folk figurines that decorate local Christmas mangers. Notice how the Nativity scene
“proves” once again that Jesus was born in Les Baux. These painted clay dolls show off
local dress and traditions (with good English descriptions). Find the old couple leaning
heroically into the mistral.
