Hyères is a town and commune in the southeast of France, in the Var département, located 1.5 km (1 mi) east of Toulon. Population (1999): 53,258.

Contents

1 History 2 Geography 3 Miscellaneous 4 External link

History

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.

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 are lcoated just offshore.

Miscellaneous

Hyères was the birthplace Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663-1742), churchman and preacher.

External link

• English version of official town website