Cavaillon, as with many towns and villages in Provence, has a diverse cultural heritage and you don't have to walk far to come across its old town, a first century Roman arch, France's oldest Jewish synagogue, or to enjoy the views from the St Jaques hill that overlooks the town.
What most people know Cavaillon for though, is its melons. The melon harvest season is from mid-summer to the Autumn and the town hosts a festival in celebration of their favourite fruit in the middle of July. Most often eaten fresh, as a dessert or wrapped in prosciutto or local hams as an appetizer, puréed Cavaillon melon is also popular mixed with water and diced cucumber and served as a chilled soup.
Like many French towns, Cavaillon is fiercely proud of its local cuisine and in particular this delicacy, and in 1987 'The Knights of the Order of the Melon' was set up to promote and protect the fruit. All melons have to pass stringent quality controls and the majority are consumed locally rather than exported.
