Bras (Var)
Bras is a commune with 2520 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.
Geography
Bras is located 15 km north- west of Brignoles in the center of the Var department in the west of the wooded hills Les Brasques.
The Cauron which opens a little later in the Argens, flows from south west, the gently rolling landscape that is dominated by vineyards, farming and oak forests. In 3 km northwest of Bras situated Tombereau waterfall of Argens plunges 10 meters deep, just before the confluence with the Cauron.
The crystal clear, small but abysmal lakes of Gours Bénits in the West are of volcanic origin. During the earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in 1754, its water is said to have dyed red.
The climate is characterized by Mediterranean and alpine elements.
History
Worked flints prove the human settlement of the area in prehistoric times. During the Battle of Pourrières in the year 102 BC, the Cimbri and Teutons, the Gaius Marius defeated, Bras served as a base of operations. In the south of the signal a prehistoric wall was exposed, on the other side of the mountain was a place of worship. Ceramics, coins, a sarcophagus and parts of a CIPPE were found.
In the Middle Ages Bras first appears in 1015 as brachium or Castrum de Braz Vel Bracio in the documents. 1241 Raymond Bérenger was the village of Bras by the Bishop of Riez fief. Later, the government went to the Order of Malta and the Knights Templar to come.
Population
Culture and sights
Bras is an old Provencal village, which rises in terraces on the ruins of the city walls and the former castle. In an old building with a beautiful door is the town hall, which has a pretty fountain and a beautiful dovecote. Add to Le Val are Bories and Bastion Font Couverte with a fountain in the style of Louis XIII. of France.
Many churches and chapels spread across the entire municipality. The parish church of Notre- Dame-de- l'Agrenas built in the 18th century. On the outskirts, the Templar chapel is called Romanesque chapel of Notre -Dame de Bethléem from the 13th century. Just outside, located above the village, is the chapel of Saint- Pierre from 1621, from which offers a beautiful view of the Argenstal. The hermitage of Saint- Etienne is located 1 km southwest of Bras on a hill, which is equipped with a classic facade and an ornate bell tower of Notre- Dame-de- l'Espérance on the southeastern outskirts of the village. To the west of the village is the chapel of Saint- Achillée.
Personalities
- Jacques- Philippe Bonnaud (1757-1797), general of division was born in Bras
- Born in Japan Nobuyoshi Tamura (1933-2010), a senior Aikido teacher, lived in Bras.