Salon-de-Provence
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| Commune of Salon-de-Provence | |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 43° 38' N, 5° 06' E |
| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Région | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Département | Bouches-du-Rhône |
| Arrondissement | Aix-en-Provence |
| Canton | Salon-de-Provence |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Salon - Étang de Berre - Durance |
| Mayor | Michel Tonon (2001-2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Population² () |
37,129 |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 13103/ 13300 |
| ¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq. mi. or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| ² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel). | |
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Salon-de-Provence is a town and commune of the Bouches-du-Rhône département in southeastern France. It is the location of an important air base.
Contents |
[edit] History
Salon was a Gallo-Roman oppidum well positioned on the salt trade routes between Adriatic, Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, hence its name. This region was under the Phocaean influence since 6th century BCE.
Its principal claim to fame is as the place where Nostradamus died and is buried. For four days every June or July, the city celebrates its history during the time of Nostradamus, attracting tourists.
[edit] Sights
[edit] Château de l'Emperi
The castle, which was the biggest in Provence during the XII and XIII centuries and was earlier mentioned in the 10th, still dominates the old town. It was the preferred residence of the bishops of Arles, during the Holy Roman Empire, hence its name. It became the property of the city after the French Revolution. After damages caused by the 1909 earthquake, it has been restored and now hosts a museum of military history. Every summer, it hosts an international classical music festival.
[edit] St Michel Chapel
Built during 13th century, this chapel boasts a remarkable Romanesque tympanum featuring the paschal lamb.
[edit] Fontaine Moussue
This fountain existed back in 16th century. During 20th century, limestone concretions and vegetation developed, giving the familiar mushroom aspect.
[edit] Famous past residents
- Nostradamus
- Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet, French botanist and explorer
- Joan Montseny, Catalan anarchist
- Christine Boisson, French actor
- Franck Esposito French swimmer
- Stationed in Salon-de-Provence for military reasons:
- Romain Gary, French novelist and pilot
- Charles Trenet, French singer
- Patrick Baudry and Léopold Eyharts, French Spationauts
Also, Zoltán Kővágó, a Hungarian discus thrower, acheived his longest throw here in May 2006.
[edit] Sister Cities
[edit] External links
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