Pignans

Pignans is a commune with 3476 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

Notre Dame des Anges, La Sauvette, the two closely located highest points of the Massif des Maures, the community Pignans tower over the south. From here, the height profile of the community of 766 m drops steeply towards a narrow level to almost 150 m above sea level, a chalky hills rises from the from to the north to about 200 to 300 m.

The mountains are heavily forested, in the plane grow grapes, olives and chestnuts.

The source of the little river Réal Martin, flowing west towards Puget -Ville, located in the municipality. Through the level next to the flowing streams Saint Pierre and Rimauret numerous seasonal watercourses. The mountain road in the direction of Notre Dame des Anges provides exceptional views of the valley.

History

The mentioned as Pignanum in the year 1039 church dates back to the Roman settlement called Civitas Pignacensis on the Via Aurelia, of which some remains from the Gallo -Roman period are still preserved. In the Middle Ages it was under the rule of the Counts of Marseille, later to host the pin and finally the chapter of a Jansenist Ursuline convent.

In the 13th century, the collegiate, the numerous priories were subject reached a remarkable importance. The monastery looked like a castle. The houses of the congregation grouped closely together around the 13 towers guarded monastery walls around. In 1590 the monastery was destroyed by fire.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Jean Lannes spent on their campaign in Italy one night at the Hotel Cloche d'Or in Pignans.

Population

Since the early 1980s Pignans recorded a very strong population growth, which is due to a strong influx, which more than compensates for the rather below-average birth rates. Of the just under 3,000 inhabitants, almost half is contracted in the last 25 years.

Culture and sights

In addition to the parish church from the 17th century, which was built on the site of the former collegiate church of the 11th century, numerous chapels can be visited in Pignans. First and foremost is to be called the Chapel of Notre Dame des Anges on the hill of the same to the results of a small oratorio lined forest path. Other chapels of the parish are Saint -Pierre in the 15th century, Saint- André from the 13th century and the chapel of Saint -Barthélemy.

Personalities

• Honoré -Nicolas -Marie Duveryrier, French, lawyer, politician and playwright, born: December 6, 1753
• The French politician Hubert Falco, Senator of the Var department, mayor of Toulon and president of the Association of Municipalities Communauté d' Toulon Provence Méditerranée agglomà was born in Pignans.