Ah, Les Baux-de-Provence, a village that perches as dramatically as the secrets it hides. Nestled in the Alpilles mountains, it’s a picture-perfect postcard—yet it’s far more than just a pretty face. Sure, the tourists come for the medieval grandeur and breathtaking views, but if you linger long enough, you’ll discover a few things not splashed across every guidebook.

For instance, did you know that Les Baux was once the scandalous playground of the “Lords of Baux”? They claimed to descend from Balthazar, one of the biblical Magi—audacious, right? But even more audacious were their rebellious antics. These “princes” were infamous for their defiance of authority, living life on their terms until the French crown crushed their autonomy. One could say they lived as sharply as the jagged cliffs that surround the village.

And let’s not forget the village’s namesake—bauxite, the aluminum ore discovered here. Yes, this quaint medieval fortress town quietly fueled a modern industrial revolution. Imagine that—a place where knights once clashed is also responsible for the metal in your soda can.

So while others are snapping photos of the sweeping Provencal views, you’ll know that Les Baux has been making history (and trouble) in more ways than one.