Vérignon

Vérignon ( Provençal Verinhon or Verignoun ) is a commune with 11 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

Vérignon is located at 850 meters at the foot of the plateau Plan de Canjuers the midst of a pine forest, which is referred to as one of the most beautiful in Provence. Since 1970 1500 ha of communal land were requisitioned for military training area.

History

The high- level plan de Canjuers, on the edge of the town is preserved in their name derived from campus Julii the memory of the passage of the army of Julius Caesar. In Roman times, led the high road, the Fréjus and Riez joined by Vérignon. Four antique milestones were discovered. At the level of numerous prehistoric fossils have been found that are kept in large part in the castle of Vérignon.

After Raoul Bérenguier around the year 1000 left the Blacas, Lords of Aups, in Vérignon settled and built their castle there, the ruins of which can be found near the castle of the 18th century.

Population

With 15 inhabitants Vérignon is the smallest autonomous community of the Var. In the 19th century still lived about 120 people in the town.

Culture and sights

• The ruins of the medieval castle are surrounded by a wall, which are covered by round towers and a rectangular residential building in the north of the plant. Loopholes served to defend the castle. At the beginning of the 18th century the castle was abandoned due to scarcity of water and lack of convenience.

• The new castle can not be visited. It was built in the early 18th century, when the old castle was abandoned. The rectangular building is laid out on two levels on which an attic is with rain shield. On the back of the main building at right angles from two side wings that surround the courtyard. The castle belonged to 1947 the Blacas family.

• The Church of the Assumption is the former chapel of the old castle. Under one of the Virgin Mary consecrated altar is the grave of Blacas family.

• The pilgrimage chapel of Notre -Dame de Liesse is located in 991 m height between the municipalities and Aups Vérignon.

• The Chapel of Saint Priest is located to 1066 m on the mountain range, at the Notre- Dame de Liesse also and the oppidum of Verrucini is. The chapel was built in 1098.

Personalities

Some well-known representative of the Blacas d' Aulps family were born in Vérignon:

• Pierre d' Aulps (1095-1099), the first representative of the family took part in the First Crusade.
• Pierre -Louis de Blacas d' Aulps (1771-1839), advisor of Louis XVIII
• Marie Thérèse de Paule Blacas d' Aulps (1864-1959)