Tarascon

Tarascon is a town on the eastern bank of the Rhône in the Provence in the southeast of France.

Understand

The city was founded in 48 by the Romans. The town's history is shaped by "The Legend of Martha and Tarasque". According to population legend, the dragon Tarasque devoured travellers on the banks of the Rhône and was banished by Saint Martha. This legend also gave the city its current name; its previous name is said to have been Nerluc.

Get in

Tarascon sits halfway between Arles and Avignon, around 20 km from each.

By plane

By train

The nearest TGV stations are Gare d'Avignon TGV, Arles, and Nimes.

  • 🌍 (train station). Tarascon has its own train station, served by regional trains. 

By bus

There are several bus lines from towns all over the Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard and Vaucluse. You can always buy your passage from the conductor.

By boat

While there is no regular boat line in Tarascon, you can arrive by boat in Tarascon via river cruises.

Get around

In the old town, within the old city walls, there are only a few parking possibilities. However, there are parking spaces on the edge of the old town, from which it can be reached in just a few minutes.

The bus network in and around Tarascon is maintained by Envia.

Tarascon is for the most part small enough to enjoy by foot.

See

Town centre:

  • 🌍 Château de Tarascon (Castle of King René), ☏ +334 90 91 01 93. Feb-May: 09:30-17:30; Jun-Sep: 09:30-18:30; Oct: 09:30-17:30; Nov-Jan: 09:30-17:00. As a starting point for their campaigns in the Mediterranean, the Dukes of Anjou Louis II and Louis III built fortress-like chateau from 1400 to 1435. The interior was expanded by the artistically talented King René I. After his death in 1481, the castle was used by the French royal troops as a garrison and later (until 1926) as a prison. As the site of prisoner massacres at the time of the French Revolution, the castle earned an inglorious place in history. The access via the castle moat, the inner courtyard, the main courtyard around the royal apartments and various ballrooms are worth seeing. From the roof terrace there is a beautiful view over the old town of Tarascon and to Beaucaire. Adult (25 +) €7.50, 18-24 €6.50, 10-17 €3.50, under 10 free. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Statue of Tarasque. The statue of Tarasque by P. Demaument stands right next to the castle. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Église Sainte-Marthe (Collegiate Church of the Royal College of Sainte-Marthe). 08:00-18:00; mass Sa 18:00/18:30, Su 10:30. The building from 11th-12th century was designed in the style of the Provençal Romanesque. The church with a side portal in the Provençal-Romanesque style was repeatedly renovated from the 14th to the 18th century and suffered bomb damage in 1944. In the crypt is the alleged tomb of St. Martha. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Église Saint-Jacques. Church built in 1740-1750 (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Couvent des Cordeliers (Cabinet de curiosities de Tartarin), Place Frederic Mistral, ☏ +33 4 90 91 38 71. M-F 10:00-12:30/13:30-18:00, Sa 13:30-18:00. The former Franciscan convent houses an exhibition on the history of Alphonse Daudet's character in the novel Tartarin de Tarascon. free. (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Hôtel de Ville, place du Marché. Town hall built in 1648 (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Rue des Halles. Medieval street with arcades (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Porte de la Condamine (at the end of Rue Jean Jaurès). A city ​​gate built in 1379. (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Porte St-Jean. A city gate built in the 18th century (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Souleiado - Musée du tissu provençal, 39 rue Charles-Deméry. Private museum of Provencal Fabric (updated Aug 2023)

Beyond the town centre:

  • 🌍 Chapelle Saint-Gabriel. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Abbaye Saint-Michel de Frigolet, ☏ +334 90 95 70 07. Dating from the 12th century and renovated in the 19th century and the Romanesque cloister. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Chapelle St-Victor. Romanesque chapel (updated Aug 2023)

Do
  • Every year on the last weekend in June, the Fêtes de la Tarasque, which were founded by King René I of Anjou in 1469, are celebrated with parades of Arlèsiennes (women in local costume from Arles) and Gardians (cattle herdsmen in Camargue costume on horseback).
  • On the third weekend in August, medieval festivals are held at Tarascon Castle.
  • 🌍 Théâtre Municipal. (updated Aug 2023)

Buy
  • The Marché aux Fleurs ("flower market") is held on the Pentecost weekend.

Sleep

Camping Saint Gabriel, Route de Fontvieille in St Etienne du Gres. Tel. : +33 4 90 91 19 83 , email: contact@campingsaintgabriel.com . Open: March-November.

Camping Municipal Alpilles Provence, Avenue du Doctor Barberin, 13103 Saint Etienne du Gres. Tel : +33 4 90 49 00 03 .

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