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.
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.
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