Jeu de piste sur les Baux-de-Provence
Welcome to Baux-de-Provence! I am "Shiny", the little sheep, and
I am glad to make you discover my village and its secrets.
My name is so because on my back is drawn the sixteen ray star,
the emblem of my village. Look up! You will find my star on
several facades of the village.
Here is the map to help you to find your way.
The Tourist office is the number 14 on the map.
1
.
We are going to begin this tour with the Santons Museum*, on
the Louis Jou Square. Find the 3 Kings Magi who are exposed
there. The Lords of les Baux-de-Provence, according to a legend,
would come down from one of these Magi, but which one?
Clue: The Lords of les Baux-de-Provence had for slogan: “at random
Bauthezar!"
*A santon is a small figurine made in clay which is settle up in the
Christmas crib at Christmas time
2
Then, further on the square, find
the House of the Supreme
commander*, it is the one who
has a basket of flowers over its
door.
*Le Supreme commander had for
role to manage the army and solve
the problems between the knights
or the noble persons.
3
3
If you go down the Rue de la Calade,
you are going to find a brown gate,
which is the old entrance of the
village. This old gate is called the
Eyguières Gate or "door of water",
but why is she called so?
Clue: In the past, people went by this
door to go to the Fountain Valley
(named “Vallon de la Fontaine” in
French)
4
If you go out by this door you will
be able to observe some rests of
old troglodyte* houses at the
entrance
of
the
village.
Photograph yourself in one of
these houses to have a nice
souvenir.
* A troglodyte house is a house
carved into the rock.
5
Then, you can walk up the Rue de la
Calade again and climb the other little
street which leads you to the church.
Before the church is the Hotel of
Piglet, Hôtel de Porcelet in French
(look at the end of this book to know
more about this legend). A wash house
is just situated opposite it, look good,
there is pig's snout which serves as a
tap. Color it on your book!
6
Now, get closer of the entrance of
the church and look at its big
facade. A legendary animal is
hidden from it, up to you to find it.
Clue: It’s in the list below:
Unicorn,
Dragon,
G<riffin,
Phoenix.
Enter into the church, you will see several
stained-glass windows there. One of
them represents the sheep shearing, try
find it. There is also a small cart where
we put the lamb during the ceremony of
pastrage (look at the description at the
end of the book).
7
8
Once out the church, go in
front of the chapel and try to
find the name of the artist
which painted the walls of this
chapel.
9
Once out the chapel, you can
go and admire the beautiful
view on the Fountain Valley.
(Watch out! do not bend
yourself, and ask your parents
to help you looking).
If you look to the left, you will
find in the rock, the old tank
of Les Baux-de-Provence.
10
Go back the same way towards the Rue de l'Eglise (the
Church Street), along the Hotel of Piglet. If you walk
towards the castle in the “Rue du Château”, you will find
something carved in the rock, something that we usually
find by the sea.
11
Then, go down the Street of
the Castle again (Rue du
Chateau) towards the town
hall. You pass in front some
old ovens of the village.
12
On the left, in front of some ovens,
is a yard where we can see the work
of a stonemason. Look for two small
doves carved in the rock and draw
them on your book.
13
Go to the yard named the “Hotel of
Manville” (the town hall), you will see on
the stained-glass windows some blazons.
Look good, and try to find the one of little
Jacques the Marquess of Les Baux-deProvence.
Clue: the Marquess of Les Baux-deProvence is the Prince of Monaco. The
Monaco flag is red and white.
14
By getting down again towards the tourist
office by the “Frédéric Mistral Street” you will
be able to admire the beautiful facades of the
Renaissance.
In front of the Tourist office is a rock, find his
its
name.
Clue: Its name is so because of the name of our
village.
15
Walk back through the
entrance of the village next
to the Tourist office. What
can you see on the facade
of the Tourist Office?
Clue: we put some wood
into it to warm ourselves.
Ceremony of Pastrage:
This traditional event which takes place in December 24th, takes place at
Christmas Eve with the offering of the last lamb been born by the
shepherds.
Legend of the piglet:
One day a lady full of pride pushed away a beggar with children. This
beggar was in reality a fairy who told her "You see Noble lady, this sow
which is full, it will make piglets, as you will have children ". The sow gave
birth to nine piglets and the lady had so many children as the sow and
these kids where then named “the piglets” (“Les Porcelets” in French).
You can also find me and my shepherd Tistet in the
book "A star in Les Baux-de-Provence" (“Une
étoile aux Baux-de-Provence”), written by JeanMarc Rossi, my creator. This book is for sale in the
Tourist office (only in French)
Activities for the children:
O The Castle of Les Baux-de-Provence with a game booklet and activities (from April
till August and all the weekends, holidays and the school holidays).
O The Santonniers event during Halloween holidays. (Santonniers/Santons = A santon
is a small figurine made in clay which is settle up in the Christmas crib at Christmas
time)
O Christmas in Les Baux-de-Provence with activities around Christmas.
Office de tourisme, Maison du Roy, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
Tél. +33 (0)4 90 54 34 39 Fax +33 (0)4 90 54 51 15
www.lesbauxdeprovence.com [email protected]
E
Réalisation/Conception : Myriam MAAZOUZ en collaboration avec Claire NOVI Illustrations (première page et moutons) : Jean-Marc ROSSI Traduction : Célia FABER
You now know the village in greatest detail. I hope
that you liked this small tour, and that you will
come and visit me again in Les Baux-de-Provence.