European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 Long on Beauty Short on tourist traps by Betty Luman staff writer the Guidebook mentioned Only six words about by Valieres France but it was enough to convince us to make a Detour. After a week of stunning Sites in Provence How could we not take a Peak at a the prettiest Village in the Al Pilles Quot we were not disappointed. Leaving the Highway from  and driving along the narrowest of country roads we passed scenes reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh s landscapes while at Arles and the Asylum in . Deep Blue irises swayed in the constant Breeze at the foot of Gray Green Groves of Olive Trees. The craggy Limestone Hills of the Al Pilles added intrigue to the landscape. As we rounded a curve we had no doubt by Valieres would be the tiny town crowning the nearest Hill. Its Charm begins with its size a fewer than 1,500 people Call the Village Home a and extends to its tree lined main Street rustic sidewalk cafes cheerfully painted shutters and Overall sleepy nature. By Valieres has Only on souvenir store unlike the bigger Les Baux de Provence where cute shop after cute shop caters to the tourists tramping through a labyrinth of Overly quaint streets to the Quot dead City Quot at the top of a Rocky mount. And while busloads of visitors descend upon Les Baux and cars fill the pay parking lots outside the City Gate we spotted no tourists in by Valieres and claimed a free parking spot on the main Street. Antique stores abound in Provence and by Valieres a not to be confused with the nearby town of by Gieres a is no exception. Its Bromante shop is located on the main Street and you can t miss it while walking the slight incline to the ruins at the top of the town. Antiquities dealers can be found off most country roads which along with our 90-minute stay in by Valieres explains Why a 60-mile sunday drive from  to Aix in Provence took an entire Day. While prices for antique furniture in tourist towns Are High those in the Countryside Are cheap compared to prices in Germany. Many towns also have weekly Flea markets featuring Small treasures among the Jumble of junk. By Valieres is a town to wander through letting your eyes feast on the rampant red roses Ron the wooden shutters painted red Green or Lavender and on Stone 8 stripes Magazine Juty 11, 1991