Montmeyan

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

Montmeyan
Commune
A general view of the village
Coat of arms
Location of Montmeyan
Montmeyan
Montmeyan
Coordinates: 43°38′51″N 6°03′50″E
CountryFrance
RegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
DepartmentVar
ArrondissementBrignoles
CantonFlayosc
IntercommunalityProvence Verdon
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Louis Reynier
Area
1
39.43 km2 (15.22 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
551
 • Density14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
83084 /83670
Elevation358–691 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.

Geography

Montmeyan is a fortified medieval village,[2] 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.

  • Overview southwest side.
  • Former chapel Holy Spirit.
  • Overview southeast side.
  • Ramparts dating from the 12th century.

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.[3] It is filled with red clays dating from the Lower Eocene, divided into two masses by a limestone bank.[4]

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').[5]

The Gallic word Meillan, Latinized as Mediolanum,[6] means 'plain located in the middle', a real sacred place to the Gaul people.[7] 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'.[8]

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).[9]

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[10] in the valley of Verdon.[11] Several traces of Neolithic and Bronze Age habitat, with prehistoric ramparts, were discovered on the territory.[12]

A dolmen from the Chalcolithic period on the plateau of La Colle[13] and two tumuli[14] (bronze Age/iron Age) in La Petite Roquette[15] 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.[16]

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[17] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20]

In the 16th century, seven co-seigneurs share the stronghold, built in marquisate in 1651 for Jean-Augustin de Foresta.[21] The Grimaldi-Régusse[22] 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.[23]

After the French Revolution

In 1840, the small village of La Roquette is attached to Montmeyan who thus obtains a territorial and demographic increase.[24] The population reached then its historic peak with 768 inhabitants.[23]

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.[25] They are compensated by the Republic in 1882.[26] 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;[27] the arrival of these 141 people marks the beginning of a new population growth.[28] In 2007, Montmeyan population is of 532 inhabitants.

Demography
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 661—    
1800 622−0.87%
1806 648+0.68%
1821 733+0.83%
1831 755+0.30%
1836 746−0.24%
1841 768+0.58%
1846 746−0.58%
1851 711−0.96%
1856 670−1.18%
1861 688+0.53%
1866 693+0.14%
1872 685−0.19%
1876 663−0.81%
1881 553−3.56%
1886 542−0.40%
1891 503−1.48%
1896 467−1.47%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901 446−0.92%
1906 370−3.67%
1911 328−2.38%
1921 325−0.09%
1926 356+1.84%
1931 355−0.06%
1936 332−1.33%
1946 249−2.84%
1954 260+0.54%
1962 259−0.05%
1968 408+7.87%
1975 387−0.75%
1982 299−3.62%
1990 380+3.04%
1999 399+0.54%
2007 532+3.66%
2012 592+2.16%
2017 551−1.43%
Source: EHESS[29] and INSEE[30]
The town hall, June 2015.

Sites and Monuments
  • The fortified medieval village contains the remains of defensive equipment, including Charlemagne Tower (square belfry with arrowslits) and many architectural elements dating from the 12th century.
  • The parish church of Our Lady of the Plan, of Romanesque architecture, dates from the 12th century and was modified in the 18th century; it has a square bell-tower with campanile.[31][32]
  • Some medieval houses,[33] including one located in Couvent Street,[34] date from the 13th century.
  • The square tower of Castelar,[35] on top of a rocky needle in La Grande Roquette,[36] dates from the 13th century; it overlooks the remains of the church and the village of La Roquette (village abandoned in the 15th century) .
  • The priory of Hospital dating from the 14th century, near the church in Paradis Street, has become private property.
  • The chapel of the Holy Spirit, on a rocky promontory at the top of the village, dates from the Middle Ages and was converted into conventional housing in the 19th century; it was the sculptor's studio of Victor Nicolas during the 20th century, then became private property.
  • The castle of l’Éouvière, building from the 18th century located south of the village, has become a camping caravaning.
  • The Three Crosses, erected on a high point at the intersection of the limits of Fox-Amphoux Montmeyan and Tavernes, have been a place of procession;[37] there is an orientation table.
  • Both tumuli of La Petite Roquette[38] are from the bronze Age and the iron Age.
  • The dolmen of La Colle, northwest of the commune, dates from Chalcolithic.
  • The Breuil shelter, discovered in northern boundary of the commune in l’Escourche[39] near the Verdon, dates from the middle Paleolithic.
  • West side, August 2011.
  • East side, February 2010.
  • Under the snow, December 2001.
  • Charlemagne tower dating from the 12th century, December 2010.
  • Charlemagne Tower dating from the 12th century, 1910.
  • Rampart’s gate dating from the 12th century, December 2010.
  • The church of Our Lady of the Plan dating from the 12th century (apse), December 2010.
  • The church of Our Lady of the Plan dating from the 12th century (Entrance), December 2010.
  • Medieval house dating from the 13th century, December 2010.
  • Castelar tower dating from the 13th century, December 2010.
  • The priory of Hospital dating from the 14th century, December 2010.
  • Former sculptor's studio of Victor Nicolas, December 2010.
  • Place de la Forge, 1910.
  • Castle of l’Eouvière, May 2008.
  • The Three Crosses, September 2010.
  • Montmeyan Beach, July 2010.
  • South side, 1933.
  • West side, 1905.

Famous Citizens
  • Rolland de Castellane (1560–1637), Lord of Montmeyan, deputy of the nobility to the Estates-General, quoted in the works of Malherbe, was appointed twice provost of Marseille (1588 and 1615) and twice consul of Aix (1608 and 1632).
  • Jean-Augustin de Foresta (1601–1664), Lord of Castelar and Marquis of La Roquette, became Counsellor in the Parliament of Provence in 1621 and Vice President of the Parliament of Provence in 1632.
  • Henri Breuil (1877–1961) is a pre-historian who gave his name to the shelter Paleolithic discovered north of the village near the Verdon.
  • Victor Nicolas (1906–1979) is a sculptor who created many monuments in the departments of Var and Alpes Maritimes.
  • Richard Taillefer (1951-...) is a 'revuiste' poet, co-founder of the magazine Poésimage

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. 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=
  3. Cécile Cornet, Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, 1976.
  4. F.-G. Levrault , Mémoires de la Société géologique de France : Numéros 85 à 87, 1959.
  5. Ernest Nègre, Toponymie Générale de la France, Éditions Droz, 1991.
  6. Auguste Longnon, Les noms de lieu de la France, Éditions Honoré Champion, 1910.
  7. Xavier Delamarre, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise : une approche linguistique du vieux-celtique continental, Éditions Errance, 2003.
  8. Camille Jullian, Histoire de la Gaule, Éditions Hachette, 1908.
  9. Louis de Bresc, Armorial des communes de Provence, Éditions Bachelin-Deflorenne, Paris, 1866.
  10. 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=
  11. Jean Gagnepain, Claire Gaillard et Olivier Notter, La composante laminaire dans les industries lithiques du paléolithique moyen du Verdon, Liège, Belgique, 2001.
  12. 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.
  13. Philippe Soulier, La France des dolmens et des sépultures collectives, Éditions Errance, 1998.
  14. 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=
  15. regional Direction of Cultural Affairs Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,archeological Base, 1997.
  16. 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.
  17. 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=
  18. Laurent Dailliez, Les Templiers en Provence, Éditions Alpes-Méditerranée, Nice, 1977.
  19. 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.
  20. Jean de Courcelles, Histoire des pairs de France, Éditions Arthus Bertrand, 1826.
  21. Borel Hauterive,Yearbook peerage and nobility of France,Press Bethune and Plon, Paris, 1845.
  22. Monique Cubells,Memoirs of Charles de Grimaldi, Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux, 2008.
  23. EHESS, communal notice Montmeyan, accessed August 10, 2010.
  24. Order of King No. 8707 of June 24, 1840,Bulletin of the Laws of the Kingdom of France, Imprimerie Royale, Paris, 1841.
  25. Adolphe Robert, Statistique pour servir à l'histoire du 2 décembre 1851, Éditions Gaittet, 1869.
  26. Noël Blache,History of the insurrection of the Var in December 1851, Le Chevalier Editions, Paris, 1869.
  27. Toutes les générations de harkis au pied du mémorial, Var-Matin, 19 septembre 2010.
  28. Gabriel Henry Blanc, Trois siècles d'histoire à Montmeyan, 1975.
  29. Données Cassini, EHESS
  30. Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  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.
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