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Buis les Baronnies, Provence
Pretty village deep in the hills of the Drome region
Buis les Baronnies is a sleepy little place surrounded by fertile land that produces lavender, olives, apricots and limes.
Lovely fragrances waft through the village, and medicinal plants are favoured here that are sold at the market on Wednesdays.
History & Culture in [locality]
The village is part of the Ouveze Valley to the north of Provence in the Drome region. Buis is one of 21 villages in the area and features many historical buildings thanks to it's rich cultural past.
You'll find 15th century arcades, Romanesque bridges, a couple of convents (one of which, the Ursuline Convent shows art exhibitions), and an old olive mill open to the public.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
One of the highlights of the village is the Maison des Plantes Aromatiques, which has exhibitions on the botanical world with an emphasis on medicinal and aromatic plants. There are guided tours of the garden (Garden of Flavour and Fragrances).
Events in [locality]
The town hosts a 'perfumed' jazz and arts festival in August and has several other fairs during the year dedicated to lavender, olives and apricots. Art and pottery classes are offered throughout the year.
The market is held on Wednesdays, with a small farmers market on Saturdays. A flea market (brocante) is held every Easter weekend.
Things to do in [locality]
The surrounding area is excellent for hiking, biking and horse riding, and the limestone hills are ideal for rock climbing. Head to the tourist office for maps and to find out more. There is an outdoor swimming pool open in summer (June to September) and there are a couple of local rivers that offer beautiful clear waters for swimming.
