Lorgues

Lorgues ( Provençal Lorgué ) is a commune with 9004 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

Lorgues is located in a hilly area, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, in the center of the Var, between the Mediterranean and the Gorges du Verdon. The valleys of the Argens and the Florièye form the natural boundaries of the municipality.

History

In the year 986 the important medieval city Lonicus was called, later de Loneges. The monks of the abbey Thoronet and the Knights had many goods in the community. Louis II of Anjou gave the place the municipal liberties.

Attractions

• The parish church and former monastery church of Saint -Martin surprised by their proportions. She is one of the largest of the department. The church was built in the 18th century in Neoclassical style. The church tower with a square base dates from the 11th and 13th centuries. Inside the three-nave church is among other things a remarkable high altar, which is decorated at its corners with girls and angels' heads, and a Madonna of the sculptor Pierre Puget.
• Dolmen and Ligurian oppida evidence of the prehistoric occupation of the region.

Personalities

• The writer Casimir Dauphin (1820-1888) and Marius Trussy (* 1797) were born in Lorgues.
• Grégoire Mourre (1762-1832) came from Lorgues. He was a senior French official in the time of revolution, the first Empire and Restoration.