Salon-de-Provence

Salon-de-Provence

*Selon de Provença* (Occitan)
Salon-de-Provence Selon de Provença (Occitan)
Commune
	A view of Salon-de-Provence, with the church and clock tower
	Coat of arms
	Location of Salon-de-Provence
	Salon-de-Provence Salon-de-Provence
	Coordinates: 43°38′26″N 5°05′50″E / 43.6406°N 5.0972°E
Country	France
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department	Bouches-du-Rhône
Arrondissement	Aix-en-Provence
Canton	Salon-de-Provence-1 and 2
Intercommunality	Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Nicolas Isnard (LR)
Area 1	70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi)
Population (2021)	44,731
• Density	640/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Salonais, salonaise (French); Selonenc, selonenca (Occitan)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	13103 /13300
Elevation	53–325 m (174–1,066 ft)
	1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Salon-de-Provence (French: [salɔ̃ d(ə) pʁɔvɑ̃s], locally [saˈlɔ̃ᵑ də pχoˈvãⁿsə]; Provençal Occitan: Selon de Provença or Seloun de Prouvènço, pronounced [seˈlu de pʀuˈvɛnsɔ]), commonly known as Salon, is a commune located about 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department (Metropolis of Aix-Marseille Provence), region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Southern France. It is the home of an important French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace) air base.

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 the sixth century BC, and stretches of the Via Aurelia can still be recognized just outside the town, but the earliest mention of the place under its familiar name is of the ninth century, as Villa Salone. The archbishops of Arles controlled the site.

Its principal claim to fame today is as the place where Nostradamus spent his last years and is buried. His dwelling is maintained as a museum, and for four days every June or July, the city celebrates its history during the time of Nostradamus, attracting tourists.

The historic center still lies within its circuit of walls, entered through two seventeenth-century gateways, the Porte de l'Horloge and the Porte du Bourg Neuf.

In 1559 the engineer Adam de Craponne opened the Canal de Craponne to bring fresh water from the river Durance to the town and the surrounding plain of Crau. Inexpensive freight brought commerce to Salon, and the town prospered.

Sights

Château de l'Emperi

The castle, which was the biggest in Provence during the 12th and 13th centuries and was mentioned as early as the tenth, still dominates the old town. It was the preferred residence of the bishops of Arles, when Provence was part of the Holy Roman Empire, hence its name. It became the property of the city after the French Revolution. After damage 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.

Fontaine Moussue

The fountain in Place Crousillat has existed since the 16th century. During the 20th century, limestone concretions and vegetation developed, giving the familiar mushroom aspect.

St Michel Chapel

Built during the 13th century, this chapel boasts a remarkable Romanesque tympanum featuring the paschal lamb.

Collégiale Saint Laurent

The current edifice was erected during 15th century by Cardinal Louis Aleman, who was then bishop of Arles.