Buis-les-Baronnies, and the Lime blossom festival in Provençale Drome

Buis les Baronnies > Lime blossom Festival > Photos > Information

Under the shadow of a majestic Mont Ventoux, the village of Buis-les-Baronnies spreads its houses and buildings on the right bank of the Ouveze river. The city is protected from sometimes violent floods of the river by a large dike built in 1776, bordered by the beautiful promenade of plane trees. Although it lies in northern Provence, the smiling and fertile valley is protected from the mistral and frost, and enjoys a favorable Mediterranean climate where olives, fruit and fragrant herbs grow such as thyme, lavender, savory. Buis-les-Baronnies also claims to be the French capital of linden tree.

Traces of human occupation date far back into prehistory : the Valley of Ouvèze river is a frequented place, a passage through the Alps. Metals were traded along this route from the early Bronze Age. Buis appeared in history with the Boxanis tribe (from which it may have inherited its name), allied with the Voconces tribe, whose capital was Vaison. The legend says that the elephants of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, halted and quenched their thirst at the fountain of Buis before embarking on a perilous journey across the Alps.

Buis-les-Baronnies in the Middle Ages was the capital of the barons of Mévouillon, a powerful feudal family that united local baronies. It had 3,500 inhabitants, when the terrible plague of 1348 reduced the local population by half. Louis XI repopulated Buis-les-Baronnies with a population of German cavalrymen (mounted mercenaries), who rebuilt the town and left traces in its architecture. The picturesque market square with its colourful façades has the atmosphere of a northern European square. The large vaulted arcades date from the 15th century. In the 16th century, religious wars were particularly cruel in the region of the Baronnies. Two centuries later during the Revolution, Buis-les-Baronnies lost its status as the administrative capital for the benefit of Nyons to punish the inhabitants resistant to revolutionary ideas.

Fête du Tilleul - Lime blossom Festival in Buis-les-Baronnies

The lime tree is a very beautiful tree that can reach 35 metres in height and live for up to a thousand years. It finds a favourable climate and soil in the Provençal Drôme, it grows naturally, in fields and along roads, it is also planted in village squares. Lime blossom herbal teas have calming effects and reduce fever. The lime blossoms and spreads a delicate fragrance between mid-June and mid-July.

The harvesting period is very short for a tree: only two to three days. Once the lime blossoms were picked, dried and packed, the producers placed the "Bourras" (large bundles wrapped in jute cloth) at dawn on the shaded plane tree dike. In the past, the price set at the Buis-les-Baronnies Lime Fair determined the price of lime for the rest of the season.

Lime tree production was very important in the Buis-les-Baronnies region from the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century, playing a significant additional role in the rural economy. With international competition, local lime blossom production has decreased significantly. The 196th and last Buis-les-Baronnies fair took place in 2003. However, the local producers, united in a union, highlight a quality production, with a label "Tilleul Officinal des Baronnies". Since 2006, the Lime Blossom Festival has taken place in July.

Buis-les-Baronnies Photos : slideshow

Information and accommodation in Buis-les-Baronnies

selection of guest houses around the Baronnies region on the portal of B&B in Provence

Municipal website : buislesbaronnies.fr

Sights and events :

• The Market Square with arcades of the 15th century.
• The Dominican Convent
• The Renaissance doorway of the former Ursuline chapel.
• The oil mill of Communal Well
• The House of Aromatic Plants and Garden of Scents
• Feast of St. Lawrence by August 10th
• Linden Day 3rd Sunday of July
• Weekly markets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings

Coming to Buis-les-Baronnies

GPS coordinates N 44°16'34'' - E 5°16'33''

Location : altitude 380 meters, 2300 inhabitants, 22 km from Vaison la Romaine, 22 km from Malaucène, 27 km from Montbrun-les-Bains, 30 km from Nyons, 50 km from Orange, 78 km from Montélimar