Draguignan Attractions
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Draguignan lies about 27km/17mi inland of Fréjus, north of the Massif des Maures and the Valley of the River Artuby which borders these mountains.
In the fifth century the area was Christianized by Hermentarius, the first Bishop of Antibes. According to legend the Bishop had won the confidence of the inhabitants by killing a dragon which had threatened the whole countryside and laid it to waste. The name of the town also recalls this episode; it appears to be derived from "dragon" and the legendary monster figures in the arms of the town.
In the 17th century when Anne of Austria was acting as a Regent for her under-aged son Louis XIV, the town was surrounded by a stout defensive wall. During the French Revolution Draguignan was the district capital and then the capital of the Département of Var.
In the fifth century the area was Christianized by Hermentarius, the first Bishop of Antibes. According to legend the Bishop had won the confidence of the inhabitants by killing a dragon which had threatened the whole countryside and laid it to waste. The name of the town also recalls this episode; it appears to be derived from "dragon" and the legendary monster figures in the arms of the town.
In the 17th century when Anne of Austria was acting as a Regent for her under-aged son Louis XIV, the town was surrounded by a stout defensive wall. During the French Revolution Draguignan was the district capital and then the capital of the Département of Var.
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Ursuline Convent Museum
The Ursuline Convent Museum has a fine collection of artwork including Rembrandt's "Child blowing soap-bubbles", and an ancient bible dating from the 15th C.
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Read LessDraguignan Surroundings
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Entrecastaux
Entrecastaux is a medieval town with narrow streets and well preserved buildings, including a 17th C castle.
