Chronology of Hyères

Chronology of Hyères (department of the VAr, France).

Prehistory

3000 before our era, the archipelago is inhabited.

Antiquity

In IVe century before our era, of the Greek sailors of Massalia installs on banks of the the Mediterranean a commercial counter strengthened with the locality Almanarre. This counter will name Olbia (“Happy” in Greek). Their presence extended little by little until Giens. The justification of this strengthened bastion is to make safe the coastal navigation towards the Italy following the incursions of the Ligures barbarians. Considering the situation of Almanarre, one cannot explain this presence that by a “master key” in the double Tombolo of the Presqu'île of Giens. It is a barracks of 165m on side made up of a double wall with turns with the angles and on the perimeter. A door opened in the east, towards the port now ensablé. The interior is cut out into four by two arteries. Each district is composed of ten small islands of dwelling separated by lanes some 2,20 m broad. To those come to be added two sanctuaries to Aphrodite and Artémis. It is thought that the population could range between 800 and 1000 inhabitants.
In IIe century before our era, it is with the turn of the Romains to be established on the commune when they found Pomponiana, a station of galères near Olbia Greek.

The Middle Ages

578, destruction of Olbia by Gontran Ier, king of the Frank .
In 963/964, two documents quote Hyères for the first time in the history: a bubble of the pope Leon VIII and a Charter of Conrad, king of Burgundy and Provence, concede Hyères and its neighborhoods or confirm attribution with of it the Benedictine abbey of Montmajour. It is mentioned of saltworks and fisheries.
Towards the end of the 10th century, after the expulsion of the Buckwheats of Fraxinet in 972, the seigniory of Hyères, which belongs to the released grounds, falls to the lords of Fos by decision of the count de Provence Guillaume Ier, said the Liberator. This territory, a depth from 8 to 15 km, includes the islands of Hyères.
Undoubtedly as of first half of the 11th century, those build there the Château .
1056, a charter mentions the foundation by Guy and Astrude de Fos of the church Saint Nicolas's Day located at the east of Gapeau, the north-western angle of the Salins of Hyères, and equips it, inter alia, of “the dîme on hunting for rabbits of the islands”. The act evokes also the donation of “a house being next to the church Saint-Paul , and located on the place of the market”, places on which are held of the Foire S. the Saint Nicolas's Day church, with all the goods and rights which are bound there, is placed under the supervision of the chapter of the Saint-Etienne cathedral and Saint-Trophime of Arles. The Saint Nicolas's Day locality still testifies to the site of this vault now disappeared (it was still reproduced on a plan of the end of the 18th century.
1062, donation by the Rostaing bishop and his Amiel brothers and GUI, all three wire of the GUI of Fos already quoted, the churches Saint-Michel and Saint-Georges with the Abbey of Saint-Victor of Marseilles. The grounds of the first were located in the vicinity of a named source Alma Narra , which places it on the hill of Costebelle. The second was located at the east of saline, between Bormettes and Léoube. In this charter, Hyères is quoted as a castrum Heras : it is the first mention of fortifications.
1075, new donation by Rostaing and Amiel of saltworks of the pond of Fabrégat to the abbey of Saint-Victor. This charter signed in the Saint-Benoît vault of Saline the evokes the castellum (castle) of Hyères ( Eiras ).
In 1112, the house of Barcelona inherits the Comté of Provence by marriage, this succession is disputed by the count de Toulouse.
1156, the archbishop of Arles yields to the Ordre of the Temple, against an annual taxable quota, the rural church of Saint Martin's day , located at the south-west of the city. Templiers deprive in 1166 of it. It is then yielded to the provost E of Pignans, there too against an annual taxable quota.
At the 12th century (1182), on decree of Alphonse Ier, count de Provence), is built the Romance church of Saint-Paul in full heart of the strengthened Ville to relay the old Saint-Pierre church. These two churches pass then under the control of the Diocèse of Toulon.
1187, a war opposes two members of the house of Fos, Guy and Amiel, Co-lords of the castle of Hyères, with the family of Piglets of Arles. This war shows the victory of the family of the Piglets which becomes coseignor of Fos in 1188.
1192, the count of Provence sends troops to attack by surprised the castle. Defendant, Amelin de Fos, leave Marseilles and force the soldiers of the count of Provence to take refuge in the castle. Ildefonse Ier also runs but is made beat.
1198, mention of a house of the Temple in Hyères and its Jordan commander. It was then located a little outwards and below the urban enclosure. According to posterior documents, the possessions of Templiers also included a “ cazal ”, agricultural domain surrounded by grounds maintained particularly well. Templiers had of vines, arable lands and olive groves all around the city. These grounds were used to provide all for which need the troops could have fighting in Spain and in Holy Land. Their capacity extended until Toulon where they had harbor installations. Possessions hyéroises, there does not remain any more but the turn-vault Saint-Blaise known as also turn of Templiers . A recent archaeological study dates construction from the last third of the 12th century.
1216, Raymond-Geoffroy de Fos, private of resources, sells for 18.000 royal grounds with the community of Marseilles its possessions with Hyères (a 1/12e) and the ground of Brégançon, as well as the saltworks of the Gold Islands, which came to him from his/her mother.
1230, the Franciscains settle in Provence. The family of Fos digs two tombs in front of the church which will become Saint-Louis.
1219, Amiel de Fos disputes the sale made by Raymond-Geoffroy in 1216, then gives up taking advantage of its rights against 5.000 royal grounds.
1221, a second compromise is signed with Six-Furnaces between the town of Marseilles and that of Hyères by Amiel de Fos and Roger his son. The Saint-Paul church is quoted for the first time as a parish church.
1223 : the sale of Hyères and Brégançon with Marseilles made by Raymond-Geoffroy de Fos in 1216 is confirmed by the count of Provence Raymond-Berenger, and is accepted by the other coseigneurs of Hyères Amiel, Roger and Bertrand de Fos, and the four brothers of Raymond Geoffroi.
1240, brother Hugues de Digne, Preacher and well-known Clerk beyond the Provence, and his/her sister, Holy Douceline, founds in Hyères the Dames of Roubaud. Two Franciscains hyérois found the Frères of the penitence of Christ, called “Sachets” because of the coat in fabric of bag which they carried, following the preaching of Hugues de Digne: go in wood and learn how to nourish you roots, because the tribulations approach .
In 1244, Hugues de Digne makes a sermon in front of the cardinal Pape and the with Lyon.
In 1254, Saint Louis, king of France, unloads in Hyères, in Ayguade, of return of the 7th Croisade. He is the guest of the lord of Fos, and, on this occasion, he attends a sermon of the brother franciscain Hugues de Digne.
on September 14th 1257, Fos must sell all that remains to them of “Hyères, its castle, its city, its territory, its islands” with the Count de Provence, Charles of Anjou. This last installs there a viguier, his representative, and undertakes to refit the city and the Château. It is of this time which the oldest vestiges date. Died of Hugues de Digne (perhaps 1256?).
In 1260, under the impulse of holy Bonaventure, the Franciscains create the convent of Cordeliers.
1268, the Saint-Paul church is allotted to the Archiprêtre chapter of the cathedral.
1274, died of Holy Douceline, which will have, with his/her brother Hugues de Digne, left a strong print franciscaine on the Provence.
Fine of XIIe century, following the fall of Midsummer's Day d' Acre (1291), the order of Templiers périclite and the house of Hyères is gathered with that of Peirassol under the authority of Raymond of the Angles.
Beginning of the 14th century, the city, with 825 fires (that is to say approximately 5000 inhabitants) is the eighth city of Provence.
1308, arrest of all the Templiers of Provence. In Hyères, they are nothing any more but four, commander included/understood. The goods are given to the hospital Ordre of Saint-Jean-of-Jerusalem and are assigned to Commanderie Hospitalière of Beaulieu. The vault is given to the Blue Pénitents.
1323, Charles II makes inspect the ramparts of the city and the Château and summons the inhabitants to carry out repairs and to finish the enclosure. This one made up of three ramparts, will be strewn with square and notched towers of which some are always upright.
#La first enclosure is restricted, surrounding the castle. It comprised two doors: one in the south, flanked of two turns, constituted the main entrance of the Château, the other in the west, opened towards Toulon and the countryside. This second door was protected by a covered round tower forming, and sheltering a cistern, a body of guard and an observation post.
#La second enclosure leaves the first and moves towards the east to the door of Pierrefeu. From there, it goes down to the south then to south-west to the door from Barue (low-street), follows the esplanade of the Weephole to the door of Saint-Paul (always upright) then goes back to north to join the first enclosure.
#La third enclosure leaves the Cafabre door, goes down towards the street from Limans which it follows, then turns towards the door of the Fenouillet. It reaches then the door of Portalet where the manifold center of the tax was, follows the street of the Porches to the door of the Roads, goes back to the convent of Cordeliers (Saint-Louis church) to go to theNew one. From there, it joined the second enclosure on the level of the convent of Saint-Bernard.
1347, the Black Death, arrived by Marseilles, devastation the Provence and carries more of the third of the population.
1348, the Reine Jeanne authorizes a “frank street” in exchange of a guard harms and day.
1371, of the agreements between the Franciscains and the Diocèse regulate “competition” between Saint-Louis and Saint-Paul.
1382, died of the Queen Jeanne, her succession will generate the division of the Provence between Louis of Anjou and Charles of Lasted. Aix-en-Provence rejoins the communities under the control of this last. It is the Union of Aix. The Château passes under the control of Spinola.
1387, Spinola changes camp and is joined the widow of Charles of Anjou, Marie of Blois. It benefits from its situation to plunder all the coast.
At the 14th century, the population leaves the escarpment and the Château to settle in the coastal plain. The Château is rebuilt by the Ducs of Provence, for which the Salins were a richness of first importance, and is increased until the 15th century.
15th century, the guard of the Château is ensured by Arnaud of Villeneuve, of the family of the Ducs Trans. The king Rene engages the city and his Château against 74.000 gold guilders with Louis de Beauveau in order to continue his Italian dream. The bishop of Toulon (Jean of Etienne), appreciates much Hyères and there installs a episcopal court, blesses the Saint-Chrism of Saint-Paul and transfers its pontifical ornaments to it, to the great displeasure Toulon and the Holy See.
In 1427, the bishop Nicolas Dragonnis settles in Hyères, the Toulonnais alert Pierre de Beauveau. This one exerts its authority comtale, and makes yield Nicolas Dragonnis.
1471, the city counts hardly 1900 inhabitants.
1481, Hyères is integrated into the French royal field.

Modern time

16th century, the imperial armies break by twice on the city. The first time, the Château resists before going; the second time, the city is saved whereas the neighbouring cities are plundered.
1517, the Franciscains of Saint-Louis join the rows of the Conventuels under the patronage of Saint Louis of Anjou, wire of the Count de Provence Charles II become cordelier then bishop.
1524, Charles III, constable of Bourbon, with the head of the armies of Charles Quint which wanted to recover the kingdom of Arles, attacks Toulon and Brégançon, seizes islands, and invades the Provence. Hyères and Brégançon resist a certain time. It is pushed back by the marshal of Palice.
1530, twelve galères of the fleet of Kher ED DIN, known as Barberousse, stop in the islands of Hyères and will devastate the coast of Hyères with Toulon.
1542, François Ier installs the seat of the Sénéchaussée in Hyères, which extends on Toulon.
1543, Barberousse, Bey of Algiers, first Captain pasha of Soliman II, is combined to the king France and winters in the roads with its 200 galères and its 30000 men. It benefits from its stay to plunder the coasts of Provence
All Saints' day 1564, Charles IX, passes there at the time of royal sound Tour de France (1564 - 1566). It spends 5 days to Hyères, with his mother, Catherine de Médicis, the duke of Anjou and the king de Navarre. He deplores that the Mores, Turks or other pirates of sea come to take port and descent in the islands… where they are held and hide… and come to plunder and charm men, women and children , and that there is no port nor fortress with Yères to resist it . He gives 2.000 books to build a port with Hyères.
1572, the Saint-Paul church is set up in Collégiale, its Architecture solidifies.
1580, Hyères undergoes terrible a epidemic of plague.
1586, the duke of Epernon replaces Henri of Angouleme, assassinated, as governor of Provence.
1587, the duke of Epernon makes his entry with Hyères. His/her older brother, Bernard Nogaret of Valette, succeeds to him.
1588, the city confirms its attachment with the king against the aimings of the Duc of Savoy. The baron de Menouillon, on the other hand, who had the guard of the castle, lines up side of this last. Mr. of Valette gives up making the seat of the castle.
1589, the garrison, besieged, ends up capitulating. Andrietto Doria arrives in roads of Hyères shortly after with 2.000 men out of 20 galères, then continuous on Toulon.
1589,
#Le May 29th, Barthelemy Boutiny, member of a league, stops the office while entering Saint-Louis with men-at-arms. It encourages the population with the revolt in vain….
1593, the duke of Epernon succeeds his Valetta brother and arrives at Hyères.
Fine of the 16th century, the wars of religion:
#Le Château plays a central role at the time of the engagements between Catholiques and Protestants, but also between the royal capacity and the Duc of Savoy. The city will remain faithful to the king, but the Château will often change hand, the guard is for the king, but adopts the Ligue in 1588, in 1589 the royal troops take again the Château after a long seat. In 1593, the duke of Épernon, governor of Provence gives the guard of the Château to Sigmans, Ligueur convinced. The royal troops, ordered by the father of Sigmans do not manage to take again the Château. Henri IV, exceeded, names Charles of Own way governor, and, on February 6th 1596, the troops give an opinion in the city. The Members of a league who were there cut off in the convent Saint-Bernard and organize resistance. The Château holds good, and it is only in December that the garrison goes after negotiations. After these ten years of war, the city is in sorry state and it is planned to rebuild it elsewhere. Henri IV is for, and orders the destruction of the Château, but dies little of time afterwards.
17th century, construction of the convent of Holy-Claire.
1620, the decision of Henri IV is maintained by Louis XIII and the Château is mainly dismantled.
1649, the Viguerie of Hyères includes/understands 12 communes, of which Bormes.
1659, 14 vessels English wet in Hyères and Marseilles, to recover 600.000 books which had been taken to them by the Marseillais.
1660, Louis XIV during his stay with Toulon, comes to spend one day to Hyères.
1664, Hyèrois having resisted against the increase in the rights on salt, the seneschalsy is again transferred to Toulon.
1665, Hyères undergoes a news epidemic of plague.
1673, Commanderie Hospitalière of Beaulieu yields the house of the Templiers to the city thanks to a Emphyteutic lease of 210 pounds per annum.
1674, a seat of justice is installed in Hyères, of limited competence.
1698, the city counts more than 11.000 inhabitants.
1709, on January 7th, it snows during thirty-six hours. The cold causes damage in the cattle and the cultures, in particular the olive-trees.
1714, the community of Hyères again asks for the construction of a port, with the mouth of the Canal of the Belt. A prosecutor, the marquis d' Ampus, and an architect, Laurent Small valley, draw up a plan and an estimate. One envisages a mole of 100 meters, in the east, a pier of 60 meters, in the west, delimiting a square basin of 160 side meters. The assembly of the communities of Provence releases 20.000 books.
1752, the Marquis de Pauliny, minister of Louis XV, takes again the construction project of a port to the Belt. The estimate estimated by the sior Barthelemy Barralier, Master with the port of Toulon, is of 166800 pounds, and one envisages 3 years for construction.
1758, a contract between the city and a monk Franciscain, Pierre-Antoine Boyer, envisages the continuation of the port and the channel. It remains without continuation.
1765, the Blue Pénitents give the vault of the Templiers to the city which transforms it into markets. The city counts 5350 inhabitants then.
1769, demolition of the vault of the vault of the Templiers in order to build an intermediate level with a staircase. The low room shelters shops, while the high room is used as attic. A third level will be created for a meeting room of the municipal council which will sit there until 1913.
1780, the roof and the walls of the Collégiale Saint-Paul raise the question of the destruction of this one. In 1784, one plans to transfer the Paroisse to the church from the Cordeliers. The rich person population of the upper town, as well as the bishop, insists to preserve the Paroisse at Saint-Paul, and obtains win. The church is repaired.
1785, the project of port in roads of Hyères is taken again by the sieurs Pink, Lorraine and Meissonnier.
1786, the project of port of Hyères is adopted by the General advice of the families of Hyères.

Contemporary time

French revolution, the Saint-Paul church becomes successively constitutional Paroisse then decadal Temple. The convent of Holy-Claire is sold.
1791, the plans and estimate of the port of Hyères are established, but will remain without continuation. This same year the last monks are expelled.
XIXe century, the history is repeated, the title of Paroisse is again disputed because of the state of the church Saint-Paul, this time the Paroisse is transferred to Saint-Louis.
1820, the inhabitants require to resume work of the port of the Belt. The project is re-studied, as well as the draining of the marshes.
1820, one winter exceptionally rigorous destroys all the olive-trees and orange trees of Hyères.
1849, the convent of Holy-Claire is destroyed and replaced by a néo-Romance masonry by Olivier Voutier called Castel Holy-Claire.
At the time of the Second Empire, the city reaches 10.000 inhabitants.
April 12th 1867, the sior Agard rents, for the owner of the Salins, a ground to create an unloading dock there.
1872, the Navy, by the intermédiare of the Admiral Pothuau, transforms the pier of the Salins into port.
1876, construction of the station connecting Hyères to Toulon.
1892, the Reine Victoria remains has Hyères, it will be at the origin of the English “beachcomber” of the beginning of the XXe century.
1910, construction of the casino including/understanding a theater of 900 places. About at the same time the Golf-Hotel is built, with a Golf 18 holes and four courts of tennis.
1914, a Raz-de-marée destroys many installation coastal.
1920, new Tidal wave.
1924, the architect Robert Mallet-Stevens begins construction for the Viscount De Noailles of a villa on the heights of the city.
1930, end of the construction of the Villa De Noailles. It is a vast laboratory of the last tendencies modern of the Architecture. The villa makes 1800 m ², includes/understands forty room, a ground of squash, a covered swimming pool and a gymnasium. Many celebrities of the artistic medium attend the place (such as Bunuel, Cocteau or Giacometti
1944, Débarquement of Provence
1955, acquisition of the Manor house Holy-Claire by the city.
1970, died of the viscountess Marie-Laure de Noailles.
1973, the town hall acquires the Villa De Noailles to make an arts center of meeting of it (arts of the mode, Architecture, Décoration, Design, Visual arts, Photographie…)

Gallery

The medieval enclosure

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