Le Bose (Var)

Le Boset is located 15 km northwest of Toulon and 40 km east of Marseille .

The commune is located in a valley south of the Saint-Bom massif among vineyards and pine forests. The Cretaceous rocks are rich in fossils.

There are three versions of the origin of the name "Bose":

• Bose was part of the lands of Bosank ( fr. Baussenques ), owned by the Bo family ( fr. Baux ).
• The name comes from two words: “ Baus ” (Old French word, which comes from the Latin adjective “ Bellus ” - beautiful); and " Set " (from the Latin " Sinus " - the bay). It is assumed that this refers to the bay of La Ciotat (ancient "Portus Citharista"), which previously extended to the territory of modern Le Boset.
• The name is based on the Provencal word " Baus " (steep rock) in a diminutive form. In favor of this version is the terrain in which the commune is located.

The area now occupied by the commune was inhabited first by the ligurs , then by the Romans. The elevated place made it possible to control the main land route between Massilla and the Body of Martius , which in this place passed between a marshy plain and mountains.

The first mention of the settlement dates back to the 12th century .

Initially, the village was located on top of a mountain (modern Beausset-Vieux). It grew from a fortified point with a chapel in the center, built in 1164 .

Under the rule of the bishops of Marseille, the locals arranged a second fortification around the castle. In the 14th century , a third defensive wall was added.

In the sixteenth century, the situation in the region calmed down, and on March 19, 1506, those living in Beausset-Vieux allowed the descendants to descend into a dry plain, in a place called Les Cabanes.

In 1615, the villagers, showing their independence from the bishop, demanded to destroy the fortifications. Thus Beausset-Vieux changed its function to a purely religious one.

A civilian militia battalion from Le Bose actively participated in the siege of Toulon by Napoleon in 1793 .

Description

On the blue field is a golden image of the Virgin, standing on a silver crescent. The head of the Virgin is surrounded by seven stars. Motto: “Beaussutensium Advocata” (Defender of Bose).

History

It is not known exactly what time the appearance of the coat of arms in Le Bose belongs to. The use of emblems became common in Provence during the reign of Louis XIII . This coat of arms probably appeared when the region was ruled by Bishop Marseilles. In November 1696, by the edict of King Louis XIV , the coat of arms was listed in the Stamp of France.

The population of the commune in 2011 was 9,092 people ^[5] , and in 2012 it was 9,204 people ^[4] .

Population dynamics ^{[2] [6]} :

Active able-bodied population is employed in agriculture. The main activity in the commune is winemaking. In addition, olives and fruits are grown here. An important factor in regional agriculture is poultry farming .

Sand is mined in the sandy valley south of Le Boset.

In 2010, out of 5785 people of working age (from 15 to 64 years old), 4043 were economically active , 1742 were inactive (activity indicator 69.9%, in 1999 - 66.3%). Of the 4043 active able-bodied residents, 3605 people worked (1914 men and 1691 women), 438 were unemployed (200 men and 238 women). Among 1742 able-bodied inactive citizens, 472 were pupils or students , 687 were pensioners , and another 583 were inactive for other reasons ^{[7] [8]} .

Throughout 2010, the municipality had 4,061 taxable households, in which 9,793.0 people lived. In this case, the median income was 21 566 euros per taxpayer ^[9] .

• Beausset-Vieux. The only thing that remains in the old place of the village is a Romanesque chapel from the XII century , dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the protector of Bose. In the 17th century, Beausset-Vieux became a place of pilgrimage to the chapel. He was visited by Louis XIV in 1661 and Bonaparte in 1793 . In 1804, the chapel was restored. February 20, 1970 is included in the list of historical monuments.
• Doll House Collection of porcelain dolls collection.
• House of Dalm (rue Pasteur, 24). From August 28 to September 20, 1793, captain Napoleon Bonaparte lived in this building.
• Chapel ( fr. Oratoires ). Small buildings dedicated to the saints. In Bos, there are about a hundred prayers. Placed along the former roads, they are preserved in various conditions: from restored to ruins. Inside are either statues of saints, or their images. The most famous chapels are located on the road leading to the Beausset-Vieux (Chemin des Oratoires).
• House Ganteaume de la Rouvière (rue de la République, 31-33). In this building for the period of resistance of Toulon of the French Revolution , from September 15, 1793 to March 5, 1795 , there was the Directory of the Toulon District.
• House (rue Portalis, 29), where Jean-Etienne-Marie Portalis was born (1746-1807), legal adviser, one of the editors of the civil code, minister for religious affairs under Napoleon, member of the French Academy, buried in the Pantheon .
• A large fountain, located in the center of Le Boset in 1832 . It was previously decorated with three dolphin sculptures.
• In the church there is: Bust of the Holy Leo, presented by Count d' Artois , future King Charles X ; painting by Catherine of Siena , painted by artist Gerard de Leress .

In Le Bos, a famous race car driver was born, four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race , Yannick Dalma .

• Official site of the municipality of Le Bose (fr.)