Les Baux is a hilltop town similar to the hilltop fortresses of the Cathars we saw in the Pyrenees:  a large heavily defended fortress in a difficult to reach height that closely follows the local geography in outline and with no protected source of clean water.

The 'success' of this construction method is demonstrated by the fact that every siege mentioned during the tour had the town changing hands, often after only a short period of siege.  A lack of good, clean water was a strategic necessity often overlooked.

The fortress was used for many years but is now in ruins and is open to be explored with the aide of portable audio guides that give details of the many things you see.  Perri did not need an audio guide, in fact he was our guide.  

There are few things that Perri enjoys more than to climb and explore new places (much like the rest of us).  Les Baux was clearly his favorite part of the trip.  Off leash and free to explore, Perri was everywhere, running from staircase to overlook to height to cave to wall to window with only the occasional quick glance over his shoulder to be sure someone was following him.  He was tireless and saw far more than any of us.  

Now if he could just tell us what he saw. 

 

 

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Page created on 03 Jan 2002