Halfway between Marseille and Avignon, Salon-de-Provence has always been a town at a crossroads. To its traditional lively trading atmosphere can be added the memory of Nostradamus, the archbishops of Arles and the presence of the famous ‘Patrouille de France’, the French equivalent of the ‘Red Arrows’.

Salon-de-Provence has no need to stand in the shadow of its neighbours. Its history, cultural heritage and original expertise make it an unusual place at which to stop off on a holiday route. Its old centre is a typical example of Provençal urban tradition: a lively circular boulevard and two superb fortified gates give access to a network of narrow streets full of medieval charm. At the heart of the town centre lies the Chateau l’Empéri. The former residence of the archbishops of Arles, its high walls now house the military museum, an exhaustive panorama of all the French wars from Louis XIV to 1918 (10,000 collector’s items).

But Salon is famous for more than its architecture. Its arid countryside was hugely altered in the XVIth century by Adam de Craponne, who installed a vital irrigation system. The town has maintained a tradition of agricultural production and is the ancient capital of olive oil. A strange consequence of this is that some of the last ‘Savon de Marseille’ soap factories are to be found in Salon. One of these can still be visited.

Another name from the town’s past is Nostradamus. The inspired scholar and prophet elected to live in Salon. The museum tells his incredible story and helps you measure the influence he had over the greatest people of his age and beyond. Tourists come from all over the world to learn about him.

They also come from the world over to see the fascinating spectacle of the ‘Patrouille de France’. Since 1936, Salon has been home to the ’Ecole de l’Air’ (Air Force Training School). At certain times of the year, the pilots practise the figures that they will perform in the air at public shows. Another reason for stopping off in Salon.