Château de l'Empéri
Medieval castle overlooking Salon-de-Provence, housing a museum of French military history from Louis XIV to the First World War; courtyards and garden are free.
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About the museum
The Château de l’Empéri is a fortress built on the Puech rock, overlooking the Crau plain at Salon-de-Provence. It served as a residence for the archbishops of Arles, and its name comes from a Provençal word meaning “empire”. The castle was extended and remodelled between the Middle Ages and the 13th century. It has been a listed historic monument since 1956 and belongs to the commune.
The Musée de l’Empéri holds the collection of Raoul and Jean Brunon, sold to the state in 1967 and placed on deposit since then by the Musée de l’Armée. It presents French military history from Louis XIV to the First World War, with a substantial section on the Napoleonic period: uniforms, weapons and equipment spread across 25 rooms.
The castle also houses the Théodore Jourdan rooms, the jardin des Simples and a terrace, which are free to access. It offers themed guided tours, art workshops and programmes for schools, from nursery to upper secondary.
Highlights
- Brunon collection (Raoul and Jean Brunon), on deposit from the Musée de l’Armée
- Uniforms, weapons and equipment from Louis XIV to the First World War
- Substantial Napoleonic section
- Courtyards, jardin des Simples and terrace free of charge
- Théodore Jourdan rooms, also free of charge
Permanent exhibition
- Collection Brunon : histoire militaire française – Twenty-five rooms present uniforms, weapons and equipment of the French army from Louis XIV to the First World War, with a Napoleonic section.
- Operated by
- Ville de Salon-de-Provence
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4On presentation of proof |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Self-guided visits free for under-26s; guided visit at €4 for children aged 3 to 11, free for under-3s. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students. |
| Groups (8+ people) | €9 per personGuided visit by reservation, from 8 adults; €9 from age 12. |
| Guided visit (from age 12) | €9By reservation; €4 for ages 3 to 11, free under 3 |
| Evening visit or themed event | €11 |
| Art workshop | €4 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month
Courtyards, garden and terrace are free to access. The Théodore Jourdan rooms in the same building are free at the same times. Self-guided visits are free for job seekers, under-26s and students, and on the first Sunday of the month.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The accessibility register notes four steps up to the reception, with no ramp or lift. The first courtyard is smooth; the others are gravelled. Reserved parking spaces are nearby.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Reduced-rate guided visits for children aged 3 to 11 and art workshops at €4.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
No parking within the castle grounds. Spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility are located nearby.
- Accessible parking
The castle stands on the Puech rock, in the centre of Salon-de-Provence, above the Place des Centuries.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits by reservation (at least 8 adults), evening or themed visits and art workshops. School programmes from nursery to upper secondary, on site or outside the walls. Group bookings at +33 4 90 44 72 80. |
