Salon-de-Provence

Salon-de-Provence
Commune

A view of Salon-de-Provence, with the church and clock tower

Coat of arms
Salon-de-Provence

Coordinates: 43°38′26″N 5°05′50″E / 43.6406°N 5.0972°E / 43.6406; 5.0972Coordinates: 43°38′26″N 5°05′50″E / 43.6406°N 5.0972°E / 43.6406; 5.0972
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
Government
  Mayor (2014-2020) Nicolas Isnard (UMP)
Area1 70.3 km2 (27.1 sq mi)
Population (2012)2 43,771
  Density 620/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
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.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Salon-de-Provence (Occitan: Selon) is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France. It is the location of an important 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 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.

Climate

Climate data for Salon-de-Provence (1981–2010 averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.8
(69.4)
22.8
(73)
25.7
(78.3)
29.2
(84.6)
34.4
(93.9)
37.1
(98.8)
39.7
(103.5)
38.1
(100.6)
33.5
(92.3)
30.1
(86.2)
24.2
(75.6)
22.0
(71.6)
39.7
(103.5)
Average high °C (°F) 11.0
(51.8)
12.4
(54.3)
15.7
(60.3)
18.4
(65.1)
22.8
(73)
26.9
(80.4)
30.2
(86.4)
29.7
(85.5)
25.3
(77.5)
20.6
(69.1)
14.6
(58.3)
11.4
(52.5)
20.0
(68)
Average low °C (°F) 1.1
(34)
1.6
(34.9)
4.1
(39.4)
6.8
(44.2)
10.6
(51.1)
14.3
(57.7)
17.0
(62.6)
16.8
(62.2)
13.5
(56.3)
10.2
(50.4)
5.3
(41.5)
2.2
(36)
8.7
(47.7)
Record low °C (°F) −14.3
(6.3)
−18.5
(−1.3)
−9.4
(15.1)
−3.0
(26.6)
−0.9
(30.4)
4.2
(39.6)
7.6
(45.7)
7.7
(45.9)
3.1
(37.6)
−3.6
(25.5)
−7.6
(18.3)
−14.4
(6.1)
−18.5
(−1.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 51.1
(2.012)
35.1
(1.382)
35.9
(1.413)
57.5
(2.264)
48.9
(1.925)
26.3
(1.035)
10.6
(0.417)
33.7
(1.327)
77.8
(3.063)
85.2
(3.354)
66.5
(2.618)
50.7
(1.996)
579.3
(22.807)
Average precipitation days 5.2 4.8 4.5 6.3 5.2 3.2 1.5 3.0 4.8 6.5 6.2 5.5 56.6
Average snowy days 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.9 2.4
Average relative humidity (%) 75 73 68 67 67 65 61 64 72 76 77 77 70.2
Source #1: Meteo France[1][2]
Source #2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity, snowy days 1961–1990)[3]

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
17936,787    
18005,100−24.9%
18065,167+1.3%
18215,864+13.5%
18315,987+2.1%
18365,793−3.2%
18415,617−3.0%
18466,355+13.1%
18516,564+3.3%
18567,057+7.5%
18616,533−7.4%
18666,714+2.8%
18727,522+12.0%
18767,021−6.7%
18817,503+6.9%
18868,598+14.6%
18919,152+6.4%
189610,936+19.5%
190112,872+17.7%
190614,050+9.2%
191114,019−0.2%
192113,155−6.2%
192612,900−1.9%
193113,193+2.3%
193613,482+2.2%
194615,826+17.4%
195417,597+11.2%
196221,393+21.6%
196830,722+43.6%
197534,576+12.5%
198234,846+0.8%
199034,064−2.2%
199937,079+8.9%
200841,411+11.7%

Sights

Nostradamus house

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

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.

Fontaine Moussue by night

St Michel Chapel

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

St Michel, inside
tympanum, Eglise St-Michel

Collégiale Saint Laurent

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

Collégiale Saint Laurent, after 2008/2009 restorations

Salon-de-Provence Air Base

Salon-de-Provence Air Base is the site of the French Air Force Academy, as well as the home of the French Aerial Demonstration team, the Patrouille de France.

Jardin de la République

Market

Every Wednesday the Place Morgan is host to a Provençal market.

Personalities

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Salon-de-Provence is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. "Données climatiques de la station de Salon-de-Provence" (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  2. "Climat Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur" (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  3. "Normes et records 1961-1990: Salon de Provence (13) - altitude 59m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
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