Montmeyan

Montmeyan

A general view of the village

Coat of arms
Montmeyan

Coordinates: 43°38′51″N 6°03′50″E / 43.6475°N 6.0639°E / 43.6475; 6.0639Coordinates: 43°38′51″N 6°03′50″E / 43.6475°N 6.0639°E / 43.6475; 6.0639
Country France
Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department Var
Arrondissement Brignoles
Canton Tavernes
Intercommunality Communauté de communes Provence d'Argens en Verdon
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Louis Reynier
Area1 39.43 km2 (15.22 sq mi)
Population (2009)2 550
 • Density 14/km2 (36/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 83084 / 83670
Elevation 358–691 m (1,175–2,267 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Montmeyan (Mount-Meyan in Provençal language of Mistralian norm and Montmejan in classical norm) is a French commune (municipality), located in the department of Var, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Geography

Montmeyan is a fortified medieval village,[1] built at 504 m altitude on a rocky promontory in the middle of the plain, near the gorges du Verdon and lac de Sainte-Croix.

The towers of the fortifications still overlook a charming village with narrow streets, vaulted passages, stairs and retaining sleepers arches.

With an area of 3943 hectares, the commune of Montmeyan now totals 532 permanent inhabitants.

Geology

The syncline of Montmeyan is a rift oriented north-south, created by the first Alpine movement dating from the Oligocene epoch, which extends over 12 km between Quinson and Fox-Amphoux.[2] It is filled with red clays dating from the Lower Eocene, divided into two masses by a limestone bank.[3]

In this narrow plain, bordered by limestone faults, there are outcrops of sedimentary rocks dating from the Jurassic and Cretaceous. These rocks contain rare fossils, dinosaurs' eggs and bones, ammonites, fish and shellfish (Potamida).

Economy

Montmeyan draws its resources from agriculture, livestock and tourism, is part of Territoire Haut-Var Verdon and of Communauté de Communes Provence d'Argens en Verdon.

Several accommodation facilities are available in the area: two campsites just outside the village, holiday cottages and bed and breakfasts.

Two equestrian centers are installed in Montmeyan. The nautical base of Montmeyan Beach serves as a boarding point to explore the low gorges du Verdon in the direction of Esparron-de-Verdon: the rental of kayaks, canoes or boats with electric motors is become an important activity.

Toponymy

Montmeyan appears in the records from the 12th century as Locus of Monte Mejano then Montis Mediani (the 'mountain that is in the middle').[4]

The Gallic word Meillan, Latinized as Mediolanum,[5] means 'plain located in the middle', a real sacred place to the Gaul people.[6] Montmeyan was probably a Gaul Mediolanum, religious and political center which would gather the tribes (or neighboring cities combined) to address their common interests, in a fortification overlooking a rural 'flat countryside'.[7]

Heraldry

The coat of arms of Montmeyan is: Gules, a triple towered castle or, on a mount in base argent charged with a cross pattée gules.

This blazon is inspired from the one recorded by Hozier for the commune, without cross pattée, and only with the castle keep of three turrets (Armorial d'Hozier, section Provence, tome II, page 1588). Montmeyan’s coat of arms are similar to those of House of Castellane. This family has owned this land for a very long time (Armorial des communes de Provence, Louis de Bresc, page 198).[8]

History

Prehistory and Antiquity

The presence of man in the Middle Paleolithic is attested in the territory of Montmeyan with the site of Breuil shelter[9] in the valley of Verdon.[10] Several traces of Neolithic and Bronze Age habitat, with prehistoric ramparts, were discovered on the territory.[11]

A dolmen from the Chalcolithic period on the plateau of La Colle[12] and two tumuli[13] (bronze Age/iron Age) in La Petite Roquette[14] are listed in the inventory of megaliths of Montmeyan. During the Iron Age, the Celtic-Ligurian tribes install two camps surrounded by thick stone walls at Castelar. The Roman occupation has left abundant traces in Enguerne and La Grande Roquette.

Middle Ages

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the abbey Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is owning the parish church, and collects its income.[15]

Knights Templar

In October 1164, Lord Hugh of Montmeyan enters the Order of the Temple and gives the land of Camp Long and grazing rights on the whole territory of Montmeyan. He waives all rights and inheritance in favor of the Commandry of Saint-Maurin[16] located in Régusse. In November 1170, the Lord of Blachère gives and grants the Templar church of Saint-Maurin all the cultivated and uncultivated land, the right to pasture and the water from banks of the Verdon. He also gives the freedom to build a flour mill in the valley of Beau Rive and a place to prepare their bread.[17]

In 1223, the Commandry of Saint-Maurin purchases the castle of Montmeyan, with the support - probably financial - of the Commandry of Ruou. The deed of sale is of great interest with regard to the terms of such acquisition.[18] During the Crusades, Montmeyan plays an important role in the presence of the soldier-monks between Argens and Verdon rivers.

Disappearance of the Order of the Temple

After the disappearance of the Order in 1308, the land of Montmeyan is attached to the area of the royal court of Provence in 1309, then passed to the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem in 1319. Arnaud de Trian, Earl of Aliff in the Naples kingdom and nephew of Pope John XXII, makes the land acquisition in 1322.

In 1409, Marguerite de Trian, the granddaughter of Arnaud, becomes the wife of George de Castellane and thus brings the territory of the Montmeyan to the House of Castellane which keeps this lordship for more than three centuries. Between 1579 and 1660, the Castellane-Montmeyan family provides six Knights to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.[19]

In the 16th century, seven co-seigneurs share the stronghold, built in marquisate in 1651 for Jean-Augustin de Foresta.[20] The Grimaldi-Régusse[21] are the last Lords of the place before the French Revolution.

French Revolution

In the summer of 1789, the Lord of Montmeyan emigrates to Germany. In 1790, its property is registered, forests are declared state property and agricultural land is either sold or leased.

From this period, Montmeyan depends on the district of Barjols and is part of the canton of Tavernes. In 1793, the population is of 661 inhabitants.[22]

After the French Revolution

In 1840, the small village of La Roquette is attached to Montmeyan who thus obtains a territorial and demographic increase.[23] The population reached then its historic peak with 768 inhabitants.[22]

Following the coup d'état of 2 December 1851, Montmeyan is part of the insurgent communes and a hundred men arrives in Aups on 9 December 1851. 51 Republicans from Montmeyan are caught and convicted.[24] They are compensated by the Republic in 1882.[25] Since then, the population decreases to reach its lowest level in 1946 with 249 inhabitants.

In the context of the end of the Algerian war, a hamlet 'de forestage' is created in late 1962 to house 30 former Harkis and their families;[26] the arrival of these 141 people marks the beginning of a new population growth.[27] In 2007, Montmeyan population is of 532 inhabitants.

Demography

Historical population of Montmeyan
(Source: Insee[28] · [29] · ,[30] Ehess[22])
Year179318001806182118311836184118461851
Population661622648733755746768746711
Year185618611866187218761881188618911896
Population670688693685663553542503467
Year190119061911192119261931193619461954
Population446370328325356355332249260
Year196219681975198219901999200620072009
Population259408387299380399530532550
The town hall, June 2015.
Demographic chart of Montmeyan since 1793

Sites and Monuments

Famous Citizens

Neighbouring villages
Saint-Julien Quinson Artignosc-sur-Verdon
La Verdiere Regusse
   Montmeyan  
Tavernes Fox-Amphoux Sillans-la-Cascade

Sources

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.paca.culture.gouv.fr/banqueImages/imago/resultat.php?MODE=simple&termes=&DPT=83&COM=Montmeyan&SITE=Ind%E9termin%E9&NB=20&send=Rechercher&action=&SERV=archeo&ADRS=&AUT=&CHRONO=&DATPV=&DENO=&DIFF=&EMET=&FmLeg=&LBASE=&LEG=&LIEU=&MCL=&NUMCD=&NUMI=&OBJ=&OBJT=&STRUCT=&TICO=
  2. ↑ Cécile Cornet, Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, 1976.
  3. ↑ F.-G. Levrault , Mémoires de la Société géologique de France : Numéros 85 à 87, 1959.
  4. ↑ Ernest Nègre, Toponymie Générale de la France, Éditions Droz, 1991.
  5. ↑ Auguste Longnon, Les noms de lieu de la France, Éditions Honoré Champion, 1910.
  6. ↑ Xavier Delamarre, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise : une approche linguistique du vieux-celtique continental, Éditions Errance, 2003.
  7. ↑ Camille Jullian, Histoire de la Gaule, Éditions Hachette, 1908.
  8. ↑ Louis de Bresc, Armorial des communes de Provence, Éditions Bachelin-Deflorenne, Paris, 1866.
  9. ↑ http://www.paca.culture.gouv.fr/banqueImages/imago/resultat.php?MODE=simple&termes=&DPT=83&COM=Montmeyan&SITE=Abri+Breuil&NB=20&send=Rechercher&action=&SERV=archeo&ADRS=&AUT=&CHRONO=&DATPV=&DENO=&DIFF=&EMET=&FmLeg=&LBASE=&LEG=&LIEU=&MCL=&NUMCD=&NUMI=&OBJ=&OBJT=&STRUCT=&TICO=
  10. ↑ Jean Gagnepain, Claire Gaillard et Olivier Notter, La composante laminaire dans les industries lithiques du paléolithique moyen du Verdon, Liège, Belgique, 2001.
  11. ↑ Adrien Ghébhard et l’abbé Blanc, Inventaire des Enceintes préhistoriques du département du Var, Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française, Commission des enceintes préhistoriques, 1920.
  12. ↑ Philippe Soulier, La France des dolmens et des sépultures collectives, Éditions Errance, 1998.
  13. ↑ http://www.paca.culture.gouv.fr/banqueImages/imago/resultat.php?MODE=simple&termes=&DPT=83&COM=Montmeyan&SITE=Tumulus+de+la+petite+Roquette&NB=20&send=Rechercher&action=&SERV=archeo&ADRS=&AUT=&CHRONO=&DATPV=&DENO=&DIFF=&EMET=&FmLeg=&LBASE=&LEG=&LIEU=&MCL=&NUMCD=&NUMI=&OBJ=&OBJT=&STRUCT=&TICO=
  14. ↑ regional Direction of Cultural Affairs Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,archeological Base, 1997.
  15. ↑ Guy Barruol, Michèle Bois, Yann Codou, Marie-Pierre Estienne, Élizabeth Sauze, « Liste des établissements religieux relevant de l’abbaye Saint-André du Xe au XIIIe siècle », in Guy Barruol, Roseline Bacon et Alain Gérard (directeurs de publication), L’abbaye de Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, histoire, archéologie, rayonnement, Actes du colloque interrégional tenu en 1999 à l'occasion du millénaire de la fondation de l'abbaye Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Éditions Alpes de Lumières, Cahiers de Salagon no 4, Mane, 2001, 448 p., p 223.
  16. ↑ http://www.paca.culture.gouv.fr/banqueImages/imago/resultat.php?MODE=simple&termes=&DPT=83&COM=R%E9gusse&SITE=&NB=20&send=Rechercher&action=&SERV=archeo&ADRS=&AUT=&CHRONO=&DATPV=&DENO=&DIFF=&EMET=&FmLeg=&LBASE=&LEG=&LIEU=&MCL=&NUMCD=&NUMI=&OBJ=&OBJT=&STRUCT=&TICO=
  17. ↑ Laurent Dailliez, Les Templiers en Provence, Éditions Alpes-Méditerranée, Nice, 1977.
  18. ↑ E.-G. Léonard. — Introduction au Cartulaire manuscrit du Temple (1150-1317), constitué par le marquis d'Albon et conservé à la Bibliothèque nationale, suivie d'un Tableau des maisons françaises du Temple et de leurs précepteurs. Éditions Champion, Paris, 1930.
  19. ↑ Jean de Courcelles, Histoire des pairs de France, Éditions Arthus Bertrand, 1826.
  20. ↑ Borel Hauterive,Yearbook peerage and nobility of France,Press Bethune and Plon, Paris, 1845.
  21. ↑ Monique Cubells,Memoirs of Charles de Grimaldi, Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux, 2008.
  22. 1 2 3 EHESS, communal notice Montmeyan, accessed August 10, 2010.
  23. ↑ Order of King No. 8707 of June 24, 1840,Bulletin of the Laws of the Kingdom of France, Imprimerie Royale, Paris, 1841.
  24. ↑ Adolphe Robert, Statistique pour servir à l'histoire du 2 décembre 1851, Éditions Gaittet, 1869.
  25. ↑ Noël Blache,History of the insurrection of the Var in December 1851, Le Chevalier Editions, Paris, 1869.
  26. ↑ Voir Un mémorial à Montmeyan (Var), qui a accueilli 30 familles de harki en 1962
  27. ↑ Gabriel Henry Blanc, Trois siècles d'histoire à Montmeyan, 1975.
  28. ↑ Montmeyan sur le site de l'Insee
  29. ↑ Population municipale au 1er janvier 2006, consulté le 20 février 2009
  30. ↑ Insee, Historique des populations par commune depuis le recensement de 1962 (fichier Excel), mis à jour en 2010, consulté le 21 juillet 2010
  31. ↑ Étienne Sved, Provence des campaniles, Éditions Équinoxe, 1969.
  32. ↑ Le campanile, Les carnets du patrimoine n° 3, Éditions du Conseil général du Var, 2004.
  33. ↑ Congrès Archéologique de France, Monuments du Var, Société Française d’Archéologie, 2002.
  34. ↑ French Society of Archaeology, Archaeological Congress in France: Var department, 2005.
  35. ↑ http://www.paca.culture.gouv.fr/banqueImages/imago/resultat.php?MODE=simple&termes=&DPT=83&COM=Montmeyan&SITE=Grande+Roquette+%28la%29+ou+Castelas+%28le%29&NB=20&send=Rechercher&action=&SERV=archeo&ADRS=&AUT=&CHRONO=&DATPV=&DENO=&DIFF=&EMET=&FmLeg=&LBASE=&LEG=&LIEU=&MCL=&NUMCD=&NUMI=&OBJ=&OBJT=&STRUCT=&TICO=
  36. ↑ Elisabeth Sauze,General Inventory of Cultural Heritage Montmeyan, Regional Directorate for Culture and Heritage Provence-Alpes-Cote d Azur, Marseille, 2002.
  37. ↑ Bulletin of the Society of Sciences of the Var, Toulon, 1849.
  38. ↑ Gaëtan leave,General Inventory of Cultural Heritage of Montmeyan, Regional Archaeology Service Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Aix-en-Provence, 1997.
  39. ↑ Andre Anna,Atlas of the prehistoric Mediterranean Midi: sheet Draguignan, Laboratory of Anthropology and prehistory of the countries of the western Mediterranean (France), Editions du Centre national de la recherche scientifique, 1980.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montmeyan.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, September 18, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.