Visiting the Mouriès and Alpilles region

The village of Les Baux de Provence, nestling close to the magnificent Château de Servanes, is now primarily a renowned tourist destination, even before it is a place to live. Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, it attracts over one and a half million visitors every year. Despite this, only 22 residents still live in Les Baux, the upper part of the village, while the commune has a total population of 381.

Perched in the heart of the Alpilles on a rocky plateau at an altitude of 245 metres, the village offers exceptional panoramic views of Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles, providing breathtaking scenery. The majestic stone fortress that dominates the village is undoubtedly one of Provence's must-see attractions.

The vast underground quarries of Les Baux-de-Provence, world-famous for inspiring Jean Cocteau to make his film "Le testament d'Orphée", were transformed into a sound and light show venue in 1978. The quarry's walls, pillars and floors are used as projection screens for performances of masterpieces, plunging visitors into colourful worlds to the rhythm of the music. More than a hundred video projectors broadcast images over an area of more than 7,000 square metres, offering a unique visual experience. Don't miss the Carrières de Lumières immersive exhibition.

Just 20 km from the Château de Servanes, Arles is a crossroads of history and culture. First populated by the Celts, then colonised by the Greeks, it became a Roman town thanks to Caesar, who settled there in 46 BC with the veterans of his legions. This marked the beginning of the first golden age of the "little Rome of the Gauls", which became a major religious centre at the beginning of Christianity. Although ravaged by the invasions of the early Middle Ages, the city was reborn in the 12th century, and its splendid medieval monuments bear witness to the vitality and wealth of that era.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw the construction of many private mansions, which still add to the charm of the old town today. The old town is home to a number of listed monuments that bear witness to 2,000 years of history. Since 1981, all the Roman and Romanesque monuments have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making Arles a city of art and history.

And don't miss the Rencontres de la photographie. Since 1970, this summer event has presented over forty exhibitions in some of the city's outstanding heritage sites, helping to pass on the world's photographic heritage and serving as a breeding ground for contemporary creative work.

Just an hour's drive from Château de Servanes is the Camargue, a site of vital national importance for local birds, migrants and, in particular, wintering species. Between 2000 and 2005, the Camargue was the main wintering area in France, hosting 122,000 birds each year, ahead of the Bay of Arcachon, which hosted 105,000.

The Camargue is also renowned as the habitat of the pink flamingo. In 1928, the botanical and zoological reserve was created. Bull breeders are dedicated to promoting the Camargue horse breed and the Taureau AOC. Rice growing is an essential part of Camargue agriculture.

The region's most famous sites include Le Grau du Roi, Aigues-Mortes and, of course, Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, not forgetting the magnificent sandy beaches.