Tarascon

Tarascon is a commune with 13,105 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Bouches -du -Rhône in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

The city in southern France located on the left bank of the Rhone, about every 20 kilometers from Arles and Avignon. On the opposite bank of the Rhône, Beaucaire, another historic town.

History

The town was founded in the year 48 by the Romans. Well-known and famous Tarascon also was the legendary dragon that is said to have on the banks of the Rhône travelers devoured. The Saint Martha is said to have banned him and then presented to the inhabitants of stoning. (see the legend of Martha and the Tarasque ). Before that, the place is said to have been called Nerluc, which translates as " black site" means.

In the southeast of Tarascon is the district of Saint -Gabriel, the Roman Ernaginum where the time was the largest Gallo-Roman Straßenkotenpunkt. In the Via Domitia met shortly before her Rhône- transition to the Via Aurelia, with its two routes - Coming from the east ( from Salon-de- Provence) and from the south ( from Arles ) - ended here.

Economy

For tourist interests Tarascon has eleven hotels, a youth hostel and two campgrounds. The production of olive oil from the valley of Les Baux -de- Provence is protected by the AOC Appellation d' Origine since 1997. Today Tarascon is considered the gateway to the Alpilles, those containing limestone mountain range in the southern Provence. The community is associated with the Regional Natural Park of the Alpilles as access city.

Partnership

Tarascon is twinned with the German town of Elmshorn and Villanueva de Sigena in Spain.

Attractions

• Castle Tarascon, about 1400 completed
• Chapel of St- Gabriel, 12th century
• The collegiate church of Ste. Marthe
• Maison de Tartarin, a museum on the history of that caricature of the resident philistine
• The Musée Soulaiado a museum of towels