"La Maison de Nostradamus" is a Museum set up, since 1992, in the home where Michel de Notredame known as "Nostradamus" (1503-1566) lived, from 1547 to his death, and in which he wrote his famous "Prophecies" (Lyon 1555).
Situated in the old center of the the town of Salon de Provence, at the foot of the Château de l'Empéri, the Nostradamus Museum is built up around this enigmatic figure who examined the past, the present... and the future up until 3797 (!)
Accent has been put on the plural man who dedicated himself to Medecine, Pharmacy, Astrology, Humanism, rubbing shoulders, while he was at it, with Rabelais, Catherine de Médicis, Charles IX, Marguerite de Navarre and many others... discussing new ideas about the Reformation, citing the Bible, evoking the Hebrew Kabbalah and weighing the interest of the first notions of hygiene put into practice during the great plaque epidemics.
Nostradamus in his office, Nostradamus Museum, Salon de Provence
Childhood of Nostradamus, Nostradamus Museum, Salon de Provence
Catherine de Medicis consulted Nostradamus
To enter the universe of this "astrophile" doctor, humanist during the Renaissance in Provence, and better understand his mind, several possibilities are open to the visitor : the first space retraces, during 40 minutes, in 10 sound and light tableaus, wih a small planetarium, the life of the great man as well as his scientific and philosophic work, from his childhood in St Rémy de Provence, through his training as a doctor which allowed him to eradicate the plague, up to his predictions, without forgetting his work in Salon de Provence and even his meeting with the Queen.
The audio-guided tour can be done in 5 languages : French, English, German, Italian and Spanish, or with a printed text in 17 languages : Japanese, Russian, Hebrew, Brazilian...
The Nostradamus Museum also includes a second space with temporary exhibitions and a bookshop with books on the 16th century, the figures of that time, as well as subjects treated by Nostradamus, and educational files.
The Nostradamus Centre, just steps from the Museum, is a scientific centre geared towards academics, scholars in sixteenth century literature, researchers and students interested in the documentary resources from the Renaissance to the present day. Throughout the year, educational workshops, training days, lectures, colloquia, etc, are organised.
In the heart of the Château de l'Empéri, a tour of Nostradamus' Garden of Simples will enlighten you about the plants used by Nostradamus for making the medicines that he used effectively against the plague.
Maison de Nostradamus - Rue Nostradamus - 13300 Salon de Provence
+33 (0)4 90 56 64 31
http://www.salondeprovence.fr/index.php/nostradamusOther accommodations
Bed and breakfastWhere to sleep?
Chambres d'hôtes Château de la Barben
150 EUR/night*
Bed and breakfast - Aix-en-Provence countryside
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