Tarascon Attractions
Tarascon is situated on the left bank of the lower course of the Rhône about half-way between Avignon and Arles.
Tarascon gets its name from the Tarasque, a fabulous man-eating creature of wild appearance said to have dwelt here and which only St Martha was successful in pacifying. It has become the heraldic animal of the town celebrated by a festival in June, the Fête de la Tarasque, when a terrifying effigy of the creature is led through the procession.
No less romantic is the second notability, Tartarin de Tarascon, the hero of the novel by Alphonse Daudet. Short and somewhat stocky with a black beard and quite warlike in his behavior, he is nevertheless more inclined to dream his adventures rather than carry them out in reality; in the long run he values physical well-being more highly than war and deprivation, and with his lovable humanity he is, for many, the embodiment of the Provençal character.
Tarascon gets its name from the Tarasque, a fabulous man-eating creature of wild appearance said to have dwelt here and which only St Martha was successful in pacifying. It has become the heraldic animal of the town celebrated by a festival in June, the Fête de la Tarasque, when a terrifying effigy of the creature is led through the procession.
No less romantic is the second notability, Tartarin de Tarascon, the hero of the novel by Alphonse Daudet. Short and somewhat stocky with a black beard and quite warlike in his behavior, he is nevertheless more inclined to dream his adventures rather than carry them out in reality; in the long run he values physical well-being more highly than war and deprivation, and with his lovable humanity he is, for many, the embodiment of the Provençal character.
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Hôtel de Ville
The Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) dates from the 17th C. Also in the Old Town there are a number of fine old buildings.
Ste Marthe
The Church of Ste-Marthe in Tarascon, originated in the 10th C., but is now predominantly Gothic. The doorway to the south aisle is interesting, in spite of damage to the figures in the decoration. Inside the church is a panel by Pierre Parrocel, a less well-known member of the family of painters; in the crypt can be seen the Sarcophagus of St Martha, whose remains were found in Tarascon.
Tarascon Surroundings
View
From the top of the hill near Tarascon (go straight up the mountain from the turning off the D986L) there is a superb view across about 40km/25mi of the Rhône Valley from Avignon to Arles (Fourques Power Station), the mountain chains of the Montagnette and the Alpilles, as well as Tarascon and Beaucaire.
Abbaye St Roman
About 5km/3mi to the north of Beaucaire, on the other side of the Rhône, is the Abbaye (Troglodytique) of St-Roman, which is built into the rocks (fifth C.). Access is by following the road parallel to the D986L; 15-minute walk from the parking lot.
Hours
April 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
