Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9. CHATEAU DE TARASCON
The white battlements of the Château de Tarascon seem straight from a historical ro-
mance. Built to guard a vital crossing of the Rhône on Provence's borders, the river-
side castle has steep, crenellated curtain walls between massive round towers and
looks impregnable. It was begun by King Louis of Anjou, ruler of Provence in the 15th
century, and was completed by his successor, King René. On his death, Provence be-
came part of France (for further details see
Union with France
)
and the castle lost its
strategic importance, becoming a prison until 1926.
Blvd du Roi René, Tarascon
• Open Feb-May & Oct: 9:30am-5:30pm daily; Jun-Sep: 9:30am-6:30pm daily;
Nov-Jan: 9:30am-5pm daily • Closed public hols • Adm
Google Map
View photo
10. SALON DE PROVENCE
Salon, one of the oldest villages in Provence, is today a busy modern town, host
to the French Air Force training school. The old town, sitting on a hill, has an at-
tractive historic centre, with medieval buildings, quiet streets and leafy, café-lined
squares. The main attraction is the Chateau de l'Empéri dating from the 10th cen-
tury. Other places to visit include the small museum dedicated to Nostradamus,
who lived here in the 16th century, and the Musée de Savon at Savonnerie Fabre,
which bears witness to the olive oil industry which has existed here for over 600
years.
Château de l'Emperi • Open Easter-Sep: 9:30am-noon, 2-6pm Tue-Sun;
Oct-Easter: 1:30-6pm Tue-Sun • Closed pub hols • Adm
Google Map
Black Bulls and White Horses
The wild black
taureaux
(bulls) of the Camargue are one of the symbols of
Bouches-du-Rhône, along with the sturdy white horses - direct descendants of
the prehistoric wild horse of Europe. These are still ridden by the
gardians
, the
sombrero-wearing cowboys of the Camargue pastures.
