Toulon

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a French naval arsenal of the first class, in the department of Var; beautifully situated on a deep inlet of the Mediterranean, formed by the peninsula of Sépet; 40 miles S. E. of Marseilles. It is built at the foot of the Pharon Hills, which protect the city on the N., and are partly covered with fine forests. Defended by a strong citadel, girt with a double-bastioned wall, and surrounded by some 15 forts and redoubts, it is, next to Brest and Cherbourg, the principal naval station of France. The town is divided into old and new parts, the former quaint and dingy, the latter containing the public buildings erected by Louis XIV. and several spacious squares, as the Champs de Battaile, Puget, and St. Pierre. Among the chief buildings are the Hôtel de Ville with caryatides by Puget, the Hôtel de l'Intendance, the cathedral of St. Marie Majeure, dating from the 11th century, but greatly altered, a naval hospital erected by Louis XIV., the hospital of St. Mandrier, on the Sépet, a public library, and a handsome theater. The Mourillon tower, built 1848, in six étages, commands a magnificent view. The Bagne for convicts, established by Colbert in 1682, was removed in 1872. The port militaire, one of the largest in Europe, comprises the old Darsa, formed under Henri IV., the new under Louis XIV., and the Darsa of Castigneau; three repairing docks and three arsenals: (1) The arsenal maritime, built by V Vauban, with a general magazine, a cordage factory, a foundry, a naval museum, a park of artillery, and area an armory. (2) That of Castigneau ( 17 hectares), with bakeries, copper works, forges, etc. (3) That of Mourillon, with steam sawmills, covered slips, and large fosses for the conservation of timber. The naval port, the equipment of which is singularly complete, and the cost of which amounted to upward of 160,000,000 francs, is separated from the roadstead by hollow bomb-proof moles, lined with batteries. A great number of the inhabitants (some 10,000) are employed in the arsenal works, and of recent years there has sprung up a considerable trade with Algeria. Toulon has an agreeable climate; at its Jardin des Plantes palms grow in the open air. Toulon is said to have been founded by a Roman soldier, Telo Martius, and was known as Telo in the 4th century. It was destroyed by the Arabs in 889, and again in the 12th century, but in the 16th century it had become a stronghold of some importance. On Aug. 27, 1793, it was taken by the English, who were forced on Dec. 19 following to surrender it to the Republicans after firing the shipping pping. Napoleon, a simple officer, then first evinced his genius for war. Pop. about 107,000.