Water and Agriculture in Salon-de-Provence, invaluable treasures.
Things to see | Things to do| Food| Things to discover|
In medieval times, Salon-de-Provence tried to get the best from the meagre resources offered by the land of the Crau Plain. Before being a tributary of the Rhône, the Crau was formerly a river of the Durance Delta.
This landscape, which can be compared to the Asian steppes, is covered with pebbles, which have inspired countless legends since time immemorial. If only 12,000 hectares of this "original Crau" remain, it is due to the incredible engineering work designed and built by Adam de Craponne in the 16th century, bringing water to this arid land and making it fertile.
ADAM DE CRAPONNE - 1526 -1576
Squire of Salon-de-Provence, engineer to the King.
His motto: “Succiepere e finire”
which in the Tuscan dialect means "Undertake and complete".
He was a genius, deeply in love with Provence.
Craponne's idea was to go and find water reserves from the Durance in order to farm large areas of agricultural land. 
Although irrigation using canals had been practised in Provence since the 12th century, Craponne's engineering work was exceptional and innovative.
It is a combined structure (irrigation canal and power conduit), and the first real "Grand Canal".
The structure provided the water needed for the cultivation of many kinds of fruit and vegetables which supplied the Salon markets.
From 1886 onward, after the construction of a local railway line, they also supplied the surrounding towns.
These two factors, associated with optimal weather conditions, now enable farmers to produce fodder whose exceptional nutritional qualities are well-known and now protected by an Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), "Crau Hay".
These same prairies are used as pasture for flocks that have spent the summer in the high mountain pastures.
The transhumance of sheep is an ancestral practice in Salon-de-Provence. 
Back when transhumance was carried out on foot, the flocks stopped at the Fontaine Moussue (Mossy Fountain), a traditional stopover on the way to the Alps.
Today, pastoral culture is protected, enriched, and taught at Ecole du Merle.
Established at Domaine du Merle, an official centre of the Ministry of Agriculture, this 450-hectare estate is continually improving the specific characteristics of the "Arles Merino".
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THINGS TO SEE:
Domaine du Merle, route d'Arles The "Distribution junction" of the Adam de Craponne CanalThe statues of Adam de Craponne located on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and in the foyer of the Mairie (Town Hall).
Hay Festival or Farmers' Festival, in July.
Livestock fair, in May.
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THINGS TO DO:
During the Flâneries de Printemps and Flâneries d'Eté (spring and summer "strolls") (free guided tours at certain periods of the year). Visit the Bel-Air irrigation canals by bike, under the supervision of the "Aprovel" association and the "Centre Adam de Craponne" association.Domaine du Merle, discover AOC Crau Hay farming and the only school of transhumant shepherds.
"La Pastorale" footpath in the Tallagard, evidence of the life of shepherds in the hills.
(More information Here)
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FOOD:
Discover, taste and enjoy many specialities from the South of France in Salon-de-Provence.
These producers sell directly !AMAP DE LA CRAU
Sale of Organic fruit and vegetables (by appointment only)
159, impasse Fernand Rivers - 04 90 53 39 20
DOMAINE DU MAS DES BORIES
Local producer of olive oil (by appointment only)
Vieille Route de Pélissanne, Les Manières - 04 90 56 03 65
ROYAUME DE LA DRAGEE ET CHOCOLATERIE NOSTRADAMUS
Bertrand, maker of chocolate and sugared almonds, creator of the "Nostradamus" sweetmeat made from marzipan with orange zest coated in white chocolate.
122, Route de Miramas - 04 90 53 13 97
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LA SERRE DE MARIE
Production of flowers (closed on Sunday afternoon)
Chemin de la vieille Caraire - 04 90 56 02 27 - Website
DANIEL EGEA
Apple juice, organic vegetables (small Organic market on Tuesday)
Quartier des Entrages - 04 90 53 23 82PATISSERIE LE CHARDON BLEU
Pavés de Salon (pastries)
45, Cours Camille Pelletan - 04 90 56 15 75
CHARCUTERIE MOURIER
Andouillette à la ficelle (traditional sausage), award-winning black pudding
341, Boulevard de la République - 04 90 56 23 87LE MOULIN DE LA LEVADE
AOC Hay in small bales (open daily)
Route d'Eyguières - 04 90 56 66 52 - Website
COMITE DU FOIN DE CRAU
AOC Hay for horses, sheep and cattle (open daily)LA FERME DE ROQUEROUSSE
Eggs, apricots, apples
Mas de Roquerousse - Route Jean Moulin
Tél/Fax 04 90 53 87 75 - 06 89 48 51 91 - rodiert@wanadoo.fr
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THINGS TO DISCOVER or RE-DISCOVER SAVONNERIE MARIUS FABRE (Soap factory)
Since 1900, this family-run soap factory has perpetuated the noble tradition of an internationally-recognised product: Savon de Marseille (Marseille soap)
148, Avenue Paul Bourret - 04 90 53 82 75 - Website SAVONNERIE RAMPAL LATOUR (Soap factory)
The tradition of the master soap makers has been preserved over four generations. Manufacture of Savon de Marseille (Marseille soap).
71, Rue Félix Pyat - 04 90 56 07 28 - Website
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