Provence Historic Sites

Provence has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was known in ancient times as part of Narbonensis, inhabited by Ligurians and later Celts. The coastal strip was settled by Greeks and Phoenicians from around 600 BC onwards, with Marseille becoming one of the great trading cities of the Mediterranean. It was progressively settled by the Romans from the 2nd century BC, eventually becoming a province of the Roman Empire. This gave it its name, from the Latin provincia, as Provence was one of the first and most romanised provinces of the Roman Empire.

Christianity arrived in Provence very early and the region was already extensively Christianised by the 3rd century AD, with numerous monasteries and churches being constructed. Provence fared badly in the aftermath of the fall of the Roman Empire, suffering repeated invasions: Visigoths in the 5th century, Franks in the 6th century and Arabs in the 8th century, as well as repeated raids by Berber pirates and slavers.

Dante
"Folauet, called me these people..."
Dante quotes this in the Divine Comedy, paying homage to its talents as a troubadour. The merchant génois, Foulques had come to seek fortune in Marseilles before being devoted to poetry. In 1196 he entered, the order of Cîteaux to become, abbot of the abbey of Thoronet, in 1201. His election as bishop of Toulouse, in 1206, in the heart of the country of cathare, falls under pope Innocent III who, was based in the order of Cîteaux. Until its death, December 25, 1231, Foulques was devoted, under difficult conditions, with this 'negotium pacis' and 'fidei' which was the Albigensian crisis. He was buried in the Cistercian abbey of Grandselve, close to Toulouse.

Musems
Lorgues
Draguignan
La Motte en Provence
Le Muy

Sites of beauty and historic monuments
Chapelle Ste Roseline
Gorge de Pennafort
Canyon Du Verdon (Gorges du Verdon)
Gorges de la Nartuby
Memorial Du Rhone

Location: Flayosc
Region: Var, Provence
South of France
Near: Draguignan

Roman Bridge or Viaduct

Roman Viaduct
The bridge is near Tourtour. Take the N557 west from Flayosc and turn right just after the gas station (Route des Plans). After 1.5 km, turn right towards "Fontroussière". After 3 km the paved road ends. Park and walk (or drive) down the dirt road, the old roman road, Voie Romaine, to the bridge.

The Abbey of Thoronet
L'Abbaye du Thoronet is close to Lorgues and was built in 1160. It took nearly forty years complete the construction of Notre-Dame du Thoronett. It could then receive a score of monks and several tens of brothers convers, these laic living near the monks without to have entered the orders. The architecture of this Cistercian Abbey is one of the most purest examples of Roman architecture in Provence. It emits the most profound sensations of purity and serenity. The structure of the Church, monks' dormitories and the cloisters were built in dry dressed stone, using ancient techniques.

Open from begining of May to the end of September
Monday 9h - 19h
Sun: 9-12, 14-19h
+33 (0)4 94 60 43 90

Map of L'Abbaye du Thorone

The Stone of the fairy
Promenade de la Fee which features a dolmen, Pierre de la Fée, which is 1 Km north of Draguignan on the D955
Pierre de la Fée : The called Dolmen " Pierre de la Fée " owes his name to the legend of the Fairy Estérelle the theater of which it is there partially, legend due to Jean de Notre Queen(crown) (XII-th century) and resumed by Frédéric Mistral.

Flayosquet
Flayosc was a Roman settlement, with a Roman road passing nearby. A Roman necropole was discovered at Flayosquet, one km northeast. Roman habitation, necropole and Roman road remains were discovered at St. Pierre-de-Lavenon, a few km west, and the funerary stele of Julius Asiaticus is located at St. Pierre. Another Roman site was located at Basse-Vaoure, half way between Flayosc and Tourtour. Artifacts from the Flayosc settlement are on display in Draguignan at the Musée-Bibliothèque.

The property overlooks Flayosc village square - It's the one on the far right of the above photograph

L'Abbaye du Thoronet