Tarascon is a historic city on the Rhone that is associated with the cult of St. Marty. Her tomb is located in the local cathedral, and the main monument of the city is the castle of King Rene.
The city was founded around the 10th century on the ruins of a Roman settlement. It was an important trading center on the Provencal route. It also has a legend related to St. Marta, the patron of the cathedral. According to her, the place was destroyed in the past by the dragon Tarasque, which came out of the waters of the Rhone. Nobody could handle it. Only the appearance of St. Martha of Bethany, who arrived here by ship, and her beautiful singing made the beast leave this area. Today, the most important religious monument of Tarascon is the Cathedral of St. Marty, with her grave in the crypt.
It is impossible to visit Tarascon without seeing its greatest attraction, Tarascon Castle. Its construction began at the beginning of the 15th century. It was built on the site of a Roman fortress. It is one of the first buildings in France to show Renaissance influences. Currently, the castle is open to the public.
