Salon-de-Provence
Salon-de-Provence (, ; , ), commonly known as Salon, is a commune located about northwest of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Southern France. It is the home of an important French Air and Space Force ("Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace") air base. In 2017, it had a population of 45,528. 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 1559 the engineer Adam de Craponne opened the "Canal de Craponne" to bring fresh water from the river Durance to the town and the surrounding plain of Crau. Inexpensive freight brought commerce to Salon, and the town prospered. Sights. 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. The 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 the 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. 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. Market. Every Wednesday the Place Morgan is host to a Provençal market. Culture. Each summer, the Château de l'Empéri hosts a festival of chamber music. Some years the Château is the venue for "Nostradamiques" – an historical re-enactment of the time of Nostradamus which includes processions and a transformation of the old medieval downtown. One such re-enactment was performed by the  television presenter Jean-Pierre Foucault. In 2006 Robert Hossein compered the closing ceremony of the re-enactment. Twin towns – sister cities. Salon-de-Provence is twinned with: