Le Paradou
Small Village of the Alpilles
Paradou (or Le Paradou) is a village located near Les Baux-de-Provence and nestled against the Alpilles. Surrounded by hills and mountains, it’s a charming spot where life is pleasant!
To discover
in Paradou
5 Reasons to Visit Paradou
Its Castillon Towers, the last remnants of the castrum
Its natural landscapes, blending hills and olive groves
Its proximity to other tourist spots, including Les Baux-de-Provence
Its weekly market, offering local products
Its wines with the AOP Provence designation.
On vacation in Paradou
The small commune of Paradou invites you to explore its local landmarks, hike the trails in the Alpilles, visit the Château des Baux-de-Provence, and taste approachable wines at its vineyards.
Summer Holidays
The most remarkable feature of Paradou is the three surviving towers known as the Tours du Castillon. Originally four in number, these towers were constructed (along with the nearly entirely destroyed surrounding wall) by the first noble lord of Paradou, the lord of Baux (probably Raimond I or Hugues II), sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries. Offering a good overview of the Baux marshlands, particularly the commercial route through the Crau Valley, the four square towers served as key watch posts and the most easily defensible positions in case of an attack.
A portion of the residential area was uncovered and studied between 1986 and 1990, allowing scientists to learn more about this fortified oppidum: a fire occurred around the end of the 2nd century BC, likely destroying a significant part of the village; a necropolis containing five bodies (at least two women and one man) was discovered on the southeast side, with heights ranging from 1.61m to 1.73m, making them quite tall for the Middle Ages. The “people of the castrum” gradually abandoned the oppidum by the end of the 14th century and settled in the present village of Paradou.
The heights on which the fortifications were built are known as the Rochers (or Hills) of la Pène. This rocky configuration allowed the castrum to be naturally elevated by about 40 meters and to be fully protected on one side, as it immediately overlooked the marshes, forming an impassable barrier.
The massif is also known for its oppidum of Caisses de Jean-Jean, located in the municipality of Mouriès.
Your vacation home
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The parish church, Église-Saint-Martin, was built before 981. In Romanesque style, it has suffered damage of various kinds due to conflicts with other local parishes. A small church to visit while waiting for the rain to stop!
Golf Courses Nearby
Places to Visit in Paradou
In addition to the Castillon Towers and the nearby Château des Seigneurs des Baux, there are still a few more attractions to see within Paradou.
Family Vacation
Inspired by great names such as Daudet, Mistral, Giono, and Pagnol, the Petite Provence is one of the largest collections of santons in the world: nearly 500 pieces, handcrafted by some of the greatest masters of the art. This unique experience will amaze the whole family.
Romantic Getaway
On Tuesday mornings, the local market is held in Paradou, offering products from local sources.
Feeling peckish? Try the Bistrot du Paradou, a restaurant with a reputation that has given it a certain allure: Charles Aznavour himself enjoyed stopping by for a meal when he visited the region.
Vacation with Your Dog
Since Les Baux de Provence is located right next to Paradou, there are many hiking trails available. One lesser-known trail is the Oppidum des Bringasses, a fortified site on the hills that offers a splendid view of the village below. It’s a beautiful route that will definitely provide a little challenge for your four-legged companion!
Getting to Paradou
The A7 and A54 motorways both provide access to Paradou, passing respectively through the departmental roads RD99 and RD27.
To visit Provence, the most recommended airports are Marseille, Montpellier, and Nice.
From Arles SNCF station, you can reach Paradou by taking bus line 702. The nearest TGV station is Avignon TGV.
Several bike trails are available around Les Baux for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Nearby Towns to Paradou
- Maussane-les-Alpilles: About 1 kilometer.
- Les Baux-de-Provence: About 3 kilometer.
- Fontvieille: About 6 kilometer.
- Mouriès: About 8 kilometer.
- Saint-Etienne-du-Grès: About 8 kilometer.
Time in Provence has selected the best restaurants in the region for you.
History, Traditions, and Culture
The history of Paradou begins around 600 BC, when the first nomadic tribes decided to set up a camp and build a wooden castrum. Engaging in trade with other Mediterranean settlements, the inhabitants of Paradou cultivated various types of cereals in the marshes, exchanging them for valuable gifts from other regions.
The Celto-Ligurians settled there in antiquity, before the Romans arrived and began claiming the land. The city of Arles, flourishing at the time, attracted many inhabitants, both rich and poor, in hopes of a life of leisure or at least better conditions than those they knew. However, during the 2nd century BC, Arles’ influence waned, and many wealthy landowners began moving to other towns. This may explain the remains of the Hellenistic rampart discovered in Paradou, which bordered a small field.
During the Middle Ages, the region’s marshes were preserved, providing a natural line of protection for the castrum, which was abandoned at the end of the 14th century.
By 1830, Paradou was known for its production of cereals, wine, madder (used for French soldiers’ trousers), carding thistles, vegetables, hay, and fruit. The village also raised silkworms, thanks to the numerous mulberry trees that grew there.
