From our Avignon base, we hopped on a train for Tarascon- sur-Rhone. We passed this small town on our train from Nimes to Avignon, and thought it’s worth a visit judging by the castle and old stone buildings we spotted along the way. It took less than a half hour on the train and as soon as we stepped out of the lonely station, we felt like we stepped into a ghost town. Hardly anyone was outside the apartments or homes. Heard none nor saw any children. Many shops were closed and the cafes that were open were few. Where is everyone?

A medieval castle and a church dedicated to St. Marthe
Inside the Church of St. Martha

At the time we visited, the temps rose to 29C with hardly any breeze. We were sweating as we headed for the castle and the church. Interesting trivia here is the legend where St. Marthe was able to tame a monster that ruled the town. The monster was called “La Tarasque” so we all know where Tarascon got its name. In the local museum we visited, there was a representation of the amphibian dragon monster that really looked more cartoon-ish but then again, it’s a legend and it stuck with Tarascon! Trivia aside, the town does have its own charm. The narrow, cobble-stoned and winding alleys and the colorful windows and pastel- coloured stone buildings compose a fairy tale village. Like Beauty & the Beast. Somehow, I was expecting either Belle or Gaston to peek out of those blue windows.

Picturesque row of stone buildings
No one is home? Population: 15,000

Tarascon takes pride in its own theatre and as the site of the Souleiado Museum. Souleiado is synonymous with high-priced, unique, Provençal fabric. Established in 1806 in a former Capuchin convent, the brand has since put on sale scarves, skirts, blouses, table linen, curtains, dresses using this Provençal fabric made in strong, vibrant colors. If you’re interested in fashion, this special museum will interest you.

Tarascon Opera House seems to have lined up a lot of shows. Speaks volumes of its small community of 15,000!
Inside Souleiado Museum

On our way out of town towards the train station, we chanced upon a food stall selling oysters and mussels. I was so delighted with this random find that I ate a dozen off the street. The vendor happily shucked the oysters open for me, gave me a lemon and watched me devour the oysters. All told, this wasn’t a wasted afternoon. A castle, a church, a couple of museums, rows upon rows of stone houses, an oysters stall. Oh, I shouldn’t also forget we had a wonderful lunch here.

My reward!
Lunch at Le Bistrot des Anges Tarascon