La Motte (Var)

La Motte is a commune with 2948 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

La Motte is located at the edge of rivers and canals well-watered, fertile plain in the protection of Rousset and Peyblou, the wooded hills to the north of the municipality. In the east, La Motte is limited by the final, which was partially integrated into a golf course. In the south of the village is the small river Nartuby forms an approximately 22 meter high waterfall at Saut du Capelan.

Marked hiking trails lead from the village into the forest pine forests around the Massif du Peyblou, Le Plateau and Les Garassins.

History

The area of La Motte was already inhabited in Roman times. The current name appears for the first time in 1030 as La Mota. In documents from the 11th and 12th centuries, the town was called Motta Lamberti. In 1044 Vicomte Guillaume de Marseille was the location of the Abbey of Saint -Victor in fief. The Priory Motta ( Provençal Moutto ) was ceded by the Chapter of Saint -Victor to Abbot Le Blance, the Prior of La Celle, in exchange for a different area. The rule later passed on to the Villeneuve family and was eventually bought back by the community.

On August 15, 1944 parachutists landed as part of Operation Dragoon at 2:30 in the morning in La Motte belonging hamlet Mitan and established there an American general staff. In this way, La Motte was first liberated town of Provence.

Economy

The region is characterized by a diverse agriculture. Vineyards, olive groves, orchards, melon fields and greenhouses with roses, carnations and chrysanthemums dominate the landscape and economic life. The quality of wines produced partly cooperative may wear the protective cover AOC Côtes de Provence. Is supplemented by farming sericulture and pisciculture.

Community partnership

Since 1983, the village is connected through a partnership with the medieval town of Saint- Ursanne on the Clos du Doubs in the Swiss canton of Jura.