Salon-de-Provence

Administration
Salon-de-Provence



Salon-de-Provence

Country	France
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department	Bouches-du-Rhône
Arrondissement	Aix-en-Provence
Canton	Salon-de-Provence
Intercommunality	Salon-Étang de Berre-Durance
Mayor	Michel Tonon (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	53–325 m (174–1,066 ft)
Land area¹	70.3 km² (27.1 sq mi)
Population²	41,411 (2008)
- Density	589 /km² (1,530 /sq mi)
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 without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Salon-de-Provence is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France. It is the location of an important air base.

1 History
2 Population
3 Sights
4 Personalities
5 International relations
- 5.1 Twin towns — Sister cities
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

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 BCE, 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 Port Bourg Neuf. In the sixteenth century Adam de Craponne built the canal that still bears his name; inexpensive freight brought commerce to Salon, and the town prospered.

Population

Historical population of Salon-de-Provence
Year	1793	1800	1806	1821	1831	1836	1841	1846	1851	1856
Population	6787	5100	5167	5864	5987	5793	5617	6355	6564	7057

Year	1861	1866	1872	1876	1881	1886	1891	1896	1901
Population	6533	6714	7522	7021	7503	8598	9152	10,936	12,872

Year	1906	1911	1921	1926	1931	1936	1946
Population	14,050	14,019	13,155	12,900	13,193	13,482	15,826

Year	1954	1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999
Population	17,597	21,393	30,722	34,576	34,846	34,064	37,079

Year	2008
Population	41,411

Sights

Château de l'Emperi

Main article: Château de l'Empéri

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

This 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 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.