Tourrettes, Var

Tourrettes ( okz. Torretas ) is a commune with 2784 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Var department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.

Geography

Tourrettes is located on a slightly elevated level in the center of the Var and the arrondissement of Draguignan. The place has grown together with the neighboring village of Fayence. Due to the fertile plain around the towns flows the Riou Blanc, which opens later in the Chautard. North and south of the village is low, forested hills rise to 400 to 500 m, which are broken down to the south by numerous valleys.

History

The area around the church today Tourrettes was already inhabited in prehistoric times. The restored Dolmen de La Verrerie -Vieille are witnesses this past menhirs as far from there found, which served as a cover stones. Traces also left the Roman occupation. At La Grande Bastide - remains of a Roman tomb, and possibly a Gallo-Roman villa were discovered.

The settlement, which was responsible for the church today, was first mentioned in 1043 as Torretas documented. By marriage the rule went to the de Villeneuve family about Tourrettes, they exercised from 1331 to 1830. The old castle of the lords of Puybresson and Castelet de Valnasque, which was mentioned in the 13th century, was torn down in the Middle Ages. In 1591, the newer Castle of Tourrettes, whose master was a leading Protestant from the Villeneuve Dynasty was destroyed by the Carcistes, the Catholic troops of Jean de Pontevès faience with the help of Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy.

Demographics

Since the early 1960s, the population has risen sharply in Tourrettes, since a strong influx substantially overcompensated for the largely negative birth rate. A birth deficit of about 200 people in the period 1962 to 1999 was offset by a migration gain of over 1700 people.

Culture and sights

The picturesque historic center of the community was built on a hill that dominates the surrounding area. Its medieval character has survived to this day the place.

• The clock tower with a mounted, wrought iron bell tower is the last remaining remnant of the first built by the family Villeneuve castle from the 14th century.
• The castle from the 16th century in the center of the village is a rest home today.
• The Chateau du Puy castle was built in 1830 by General Fabre.
• The remains of a castle and a fortified village in Puybresson are protected as Inscrit Monument Historique. The keep has four floors, the door is provided with a pointed arch.
• Ruins of a square tower, and the accommodation of Castelet family are about to discover in Valnasque.
• The parish church of Saint- André is of Roman origin, but was renewed and rebuilt in the 15th and 17th centuries. From the original architecture are the Romanesque hemispherical apse, the goal with wedge stone arch and decorated with a cross tympanum.