The story of Cavaillon does not start with the melon. How then to explain that melons are the emblem of the town? Historians agree that the origin of the melon is in India. Medical and mystical properties were imputed to the melon, but the Vatican also took care of the fruit and cultivated it.
When the papacy moved to Avignon the growing of melons also had to be moved. The melon took root in Cavaillon, which was ideal because plenty of water was available, there was suitable agricultural soil and many hours of sunlight.
The quality of the melon from Cavaillon is not only known because of mouth-to-mouth publicity. An ambassador by the name of Alexandre Dumas, writer of "The Three Musketeers" also became involved. In a renowned article in the Grand Dictionnaire de Cuisine (1873) he says: "I repeat that I have never eaten something as lovely as this fresh tasty lemon."
Between 1895 and 1959 the production increases from 10,000 tons to more than 140,000 tons annually.
When the papacy moved to Avignon the growing of melons also had to be moved. The melon took root in Cavaillon, which was ideal because plenty of water was available, there was suitable agricultural soil and many hours of sunlight.
The quality of the melon from Cavaillon is not only known because of mouth-to-mouth publicity. An ambassador by the name of Alexandre Dumas, writer of "The Three Musketeers" also became involved. In a renowned article in the Grand Dictionnaire de Cuisine (1873) he says: "I repeat that I have never eaten something as lovely as this fresh tasty lemon."
Between 1895 and 1959 the production increases from 10,000 tons to more than 140,000 tons annually.
Today each resident of Cavaillon will have a line for the production of melons as shown by the many annual festivities and other events.
