Hyères
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hyères (Provençal Occitan: Ieras in classical norm or Iero in Mistralian norm) is a town and commune in the southeast of France, in the Var département, located 15 km (10 mi) east of Toulon.
Population (1999): 53,258.
Contents |
[edit] History
The city of Olbia was founded by the Phocaeans during the 4th century BCE, and is mentioned by the geographer Strabo. Greek and Roman antiquities have been found in the area. The first reference to the town dates from 963. Originally a possession of the viscount of Marseilles, it later went to Charles of Anjou. St Louis landed at Hyères in 1254 when returning from the Crusades.
[edit] Geography
Its position facing the Mediterranean to the south makes it a popular location for tourism in the winter, and facilitates the raising of palm trees; about 100,000 trees are exported from the area each year.
The three islands of the Îles d'Hyères (namely Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Île du Levant) are located just offshore.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Hyères was the birthplace Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663-1742), churchman and preacher.
American novelist Edith Wharton wintered in Hyères annually from 1919 until her death in 1937.
Hyères is twinned with Rottweil, Germany.
[edit] External links
- English version of official town website
- Les Iles d'Hyères - a collection of unspoiled, idyllic islands with a tumultuous past.
- Street map of Hyeres
This Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
