The twin communes of Beaucaire and Tarascon still face each other across the mighty Rhône as they did in Medieval times when each was in a different country. Hence the opposing fortresses!

Beaucaire was proudly French while Tarascon was on the frontier of the Holy Roman Empire. Nowadays they are much more friendly of course but each is in a different Région - Tarascon is in Provence while Beaucaire is in the super-Région of Occitanie

Beaucaire

The Château at Beaucaire with its unusual triangular tower was strategically located on the right bank of the Rhône so that the Count of Toulouse could keep a watchful eye on the goings on in Tarascon, a frontier town of the Holy Roman Empire in those days, on the left bank.

Beaucaire became famous throughout Europe for its annual Fair inaugurated by Count Raymond VI in 1217 and although it originally only lasted one week, by the 18th Century it went on for about a month. The streets were even renamed to suit the products on sale e.g. rue Beaujolais selling wine and rue des Marseillais selling selling oil and soap.