Tourism in Salon de Provence

Salon de Provence is a commune located in the Bouches du Rhône department. Its rich cultural heritage allows you to enjoy a visit between tradition and modernity. The Quartier des Savonniers (the soap makers’ district), the Crau and the Patrouille de France (French Patrol), who perform acrobatic formations in the sky, characterize the city.

The historic heart, lined with narrow streets and medieval gates, stretches out at the foot of the Château de l’Empéri. Many historical monuments are to be discovered in the city, alone or with a guide, such as Saint Michel Church, the Collegiate Church of Saint Laurent, the clock tower, or the Fontaine Moussue (Mossy Fountain), the town hall to name just a few.

The commune is strongly marked by Nostradamus, who lived here in the last years of his life. A museum, a fresco and festivities are to be discovered to understand the history and work of this apothecary, doctor, scientist and astrologer.

Since 1946, Salon de Provence has been home to the École de l’Air at Salon de Provence Air Base. The quarters of the Patrouille de France have been there since 1964. During your holidays, you may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Patrouille de France’s planes in the sky, training.

Salon de Provence is a dynamic town which is punctuated throughout the year by various festive events such as the Rencontres Cinématographiques Festival , the Transhumance, the Historical Reconstruction, the evening markets in summer, to taste the specialties of the region and discover the local crafts, or the Côté Cour Theater Festival.

Make the most of your stay to visit the tourist destinations in the surrounding area: Istres, Miramas, Pélissanne…

La maison de Nostradamus

Nostradamus, a famous astrophile doctor, lived in his house in Salon de Provence for 19 years. Today, the monument can be visited. Temporary exhibitions on the history of the character and his time are organized in the covered courtyard of the house. You can discover original objects and documents from the 16th century. A visit to LaMaison de Nostradamus (Nostradamus’s house) allows you to explore a part of the house where he completed all his works and spent the rest of his life. The building is located in the heart of the old center of the town and at the foot of the Château de l’Empéri. The museum offers the opportunity to learn more about Michel de Nostradame, known as Nostradamus, who was involved in medicine, pharmacy, astrology, humanism…

Marius Fabre Marseille Soap Museum

The Marius Fabre Marseille Soap Museum allows you to discover the history of soap in Provence. The Marius Fabre soap factory has preserved, in an old drying room, precious witnesses of the past such as engraved boxwood stamps, tools, soap stampers, stencils, old wrappings, etc. You can complete your visit with a visit to the soap factory to learn more about the artisanal savoir-faire handed down from generation to generation in the family.

Château de l’Empéri

The Château de l’Empéri was built around the 10th century on the rock of Puech, dominating the Crau. It is one of the oldest and largest castles still standing in Provence. Former residence of the archbishops of Arles and the Germanic emperors, the building houses today the Musée des Armées, the Museum of Salon et la Crau as well as the Jardin des Simples. In this building listed as a historical monument, you will be able to discover the Raoul and Jean Brunon collection of French military history. Every summer, events are organized within the castle such as concerts or Renaissance Festivals which reconstruct the time of Nostradamus.

Fontaine moussue

The Fontaine Moussue (mossy fountain) is situated at Place Crousillat. Its construction was entrusted to Maurice Bernus in 1775. The fountain, a drinking trough during the transhumance period, consists of two basins and four masks spitting water and framed by four lion heads. The moss and vegetation that grew on the monument give it its particular shape today. The fountains of Salon de Provence decorate the town. The most famous is certainly the mossy fountain. It has become a real emblem and offers a privileged setting for the terraces of the cafés located nearby.

The Clock Tower

The clock tower has several functions. It is composed of a dayclock on which each day of the week is represented by its associated planet: Sunday is represented by the sun, Monday is the moon, Tuesday is Mars, Wednesday is Mercury, Thursday is Jupiter, Friday is Venus and Saturday is Saturn. Another clock is also installed on the tower and rings every fifteen minutes. The face of the clock is also used to describe the movements of the moon. Built in the 16th century, the clock tower is, with its campanile, a listed historical monument.

Practical information

  • Tourist Office of Salon de Provence: http://www.visitsalondeprovence.com/
  • Road service: A7 Highway (from Marseille), N113 national road (from Arles)
  • Air access: Marseille Provence Airport (30 minutes), Nîmes Airport (50 minutes)
  • Railroad access: train station
  • Discover also :markets

nearby towns:

Close