Antique weapons enthusiasts meet at Salon-de-Provence. In the heart of a perfectly restored medieval castle, the Musée de l’Empéri houses a remarkable collection of rifles, cannons, sabers, armor and uniforms…
Musée de l'Empéri in Salon-de-Provence
Château de l’Empéri
Overlooking Salon-de-Provence and the plain of La Crau, the Château de l’Empéri still looks like an impregnable fortress from the top of its basement rock, surrounded by the old houses nestled against its walls. The oldest fortified castle in Provence is also one of the largest, along with the Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) and the castle of Tarascon. Built in the 11th century, it bears witness to the authority of the archbishops of Arles over the city and Pays Salonais. Transformed into a palace in the 16th century, the Château de l’Empéri gains in elegance and comfort. Since 1967, it has housed the Raoul and Jean Brunon collection.
Weapon collections
The collection, belonging to the Musée de l’Armée of Paris housed in Les Invalides, is one of the most important collections in the world linked to French military history, from the reign of Louis XIV to the Great War. It is especially famous for its Napoleonic part. Among the masterpieces, you will be able to admire a uniform of the Mamelukes of the Imperial Guard, a corporal’s uniform of the foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard or a pair of gloves that belonged to General Bonaparte when he returned from Egypt.
Other rare pieces refer to the Ancien Régime, such as a cartridge box (a box worn over the shoulder) that belonged to Louis XV, or a large field marshal’s uniform from the Louis XVI period.
Visitors can also admire the sword of Emir Abd el-Kader, which was given to France at the time of its surrender in 1847, an officer’s uniform of the Cent Gardes dating from 1870, or a uniform of a French soldier who took part in the victory parade in Paris at the end of the Great War.
Paintings
An exhibition space located at the Château de l’Empéri presents the works of Théodore Jourdan, a painter from Salon known for his pastoral scenes. About twenty large format works and about sixty drawings are on display and offer a bucolic view of the landscapes of Provence. Admission to the exhibition “Théodore Jourdan” is free. Educational workshops are also organized throughout the year.
Exhibitions and activities
The Musée de l’Empéri also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions on a variety of themes. In the studio of the sculptor Eugène Piron (1875-1928), for example, a complete artist who is too little known to the general public, is shown.
Informations pratiques
Prepare your visit to the Musée de l’Empéri:
- Visiting time: 1h30 approximately
- Opening days: open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday). Closed on certain public holidays (ask the Museum for information).
- Schedule: from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. from mid-April to September, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. from October to mid-April
- Address: Montée du Puech, 13300 Salon-de-Provence
- Website: https://www.salondeprovence.fr/index.php/emperi
