Salon-de-Provence Town Centre
Discover the exhibition of the preliminary project (2009 to 2013) of the future Place Jules Morgan Here
Originally named Salon-de-Crau, in 1918 the town changed its name to Salon-de-Provence to better reflect the typical tourist image of Provence.
Salon-de-Provence is a town of contrasts, both modern and rooted in its rural identity and historical past.
The town has a population of 42,000. It is part of the Agglopôle Provence inter-urban council [More information here] composed of 17 towns and including approximately 130,000 inhabitants.
The name of Salon appears for the first time in 871, when Provence was being constituted under the Holy Roman Empire.
From the 10th century onward, the Archbishops of Arles built a defensive position on this site, a crossroads between Arles, Avignon, Aix and Marseille.
From the 13th century to the Renaissance, Chateau de l'Empéri was gradually built on this site and has now been converted into a museum. 
Farmers and shop owners settled at the foot of the castle and protected themselves by building ramparts, sections of which are still visible in the old town centre of Salon.
The town took form, built on a plan specific to medieval towns (narrow streets and squares, houses built on so-called "strip plots": small street frontages, but extending deep to the rear). 
The rural activity linked to the trade of olives and olive oil, meat, wool and sheepskins contributed to local development and activity.
Salon has preserved a number of historical monuments from this period. The town has also suffered from several earthquakes (the last of which was in 1909) and particularly from the "urban renovation" of the 1960s.
In 2006, the renovation of the avenues of the town centre gave a new boost to local trade.
The town is very popular with tourists: shady terraces, fountains, rich heritage, lively streets, etc. It is a friendly town with a human dimension.
In 2009 the town of Salon-de-Provence launched new projects for Place Jules Morgan in the heart of the town centre.
View model of the project Here
The restructuring of Place Morgan meets some essential challenges. Economic and cultural issues, questions of travel and leisure are the foundations for this new project!
It will be the spearhead of 2013 for a town centre that is dynamic now, but needs to be sustained and reinforced.
The current parking arrangements will be replaced by a free 400-space car park at the railway station. Free shuttles will provide a link to the town centre.
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