TARASCON

town, Bouches-du-Rhne dpartement, Provence-Alpes-Cte-d'Azur region, southeastern France, east of Nmes. Situated on the left bank of the Rhne opposite Beaucaire, the town is associated with a legendary monster, La Tarasque, which was said to have ravaged the region until it was tamed by St. Marthe. Since the late 19th century it has also been associated with the mock-heroic character Tartarin de Tarascon, created by the French writer Alphonse Daudet. The chteau, which rises sharply on the Rhne bank, was begun in the 12th century and was completed in the 15th century by Ren I, Count of Provence and titular king of Sicily. An imposing stronghold, it has crenellated walls 157 feet (48 m) high. The Church of Sainte-Marthe (dating mainly from the 15th century) has a portal dating from an earlier, 12th-century Romanesque building. The church's spire was destroyed during World War II but has been rebuilt. Local trading is mainly in vegetables, fruit, and Provenal printed cloth. Pop. (1982) 8,968; (1990) 11,158.