Salon-de-Provence can be explored through very different cultural histories: the Château de l’Empéri represents more than 800 years of history, the Maison de Nostradamus is connected to specific chapters in Michel de Nostredame’s life, and La Fontaine Moussue has developed its distinctive appearance over a long period. There is also a medicinal herb garden and a soapmaking tradition maintained since 1900. Two clear points of reference are particularly useful when planning: the 45-minute audio tour of the Maison and free year-round access to the château’s courtyards.

The Château de l’Empéri: history and summer programme

The Château de l’Empéri offers a glimpse of more than 800 years of history in Salon-de-Provence. Its courtyards are open to the public free of charge all year round. In addition to its historical significance, the château therefore provides a specific place to visit without paying an entrance fee.

Every summer, the courtyards host concerts, theatre festivals, festivals of lyrical arts and open-air cinema. The occasions therefore vary throughout the year: the courtyards are open to the public all year round, while the events are part of the summer programme. If you would like a particular event to shape your stay, check the specific dates in advance.

Maison de Nostradamus: a house and its history

The Maison de Nostradamus is located in the house that Michel de Nostredame, known as Nostradamus, bought in 1547. He completed his works there and died in 1566. The purchase, completion of his works and his death link the building to three specific milestones in his life.

The Maison offers a 45-minute audio-guided tour about Nostradamus. Its duration makes it easy to plan your time; the subject is Nostradamus himself. This sets it apart from the Château de l’Empéri’s broader historical significance and gives you a specific point of reference when weighing up cultural activities for your stay.

La Fontaine Moussue and the Église Saint-Michel

La Fontaine Moussue already existed in Salon-de-Provence in the 16th century. Its characteristic mushroom shape came later: after the Second World War, calcareous deposits and moss merged the two basins and gave the fountain this shape. This distinguishes two points in time—the fountain’s existence since the 16th century and the later development of its characteristic appearance.

The Église Saint-Michel is near the Château de l’Empéri and within the city’s medieval enclosure. Its location in the medieval city and proximity to the château are the main points of reference here; at the Maison de Nostradamus, by contrast, the focus is on the life events associated with a particular house. The two places therefore offer different historical perspectives.

A historical garden and a soapmaking tradition

The Jardin des Simples de Nostradamus at the Château de l’Emperi was created in 2003 and is freely accessible as a historical garden of medicinal plants. Its date of creation is quite different from the Château’s more than 800 years of history: the garden adds a more recent botanical focus to the historic setting.

The artisanal tradition of the Savonnerie Marius Fabre offers another cultural perspective. In Salon-de-Provence, it has maintained the production of Marseille soap and olive-oil black soap since 1900. This broadens the picture beyond buildings and gardens to include artisanal production. Unlike the dated historical landmarks, the focus here is a production tradition maintained since 1900.

Discover more destinations: Istres, Roquevaire, Coudoux, Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts, Marignane, La Penne-Sur-Huveaune, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues

For the wider travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.