BRIGNOLES

brignoles, a town in the department of var in the s.e. of france, 36 m. by rail n. of toulon. pop. (1906) 3639. it is built at a height of 754 ft. above the sea-level, in a fertile valley, and on the right bank of the carami river. it contains the old summer palace of the counts of provence, and has an active trade, especially in prunes, known as _prunes de brignoles_. its old name was _villa puerorum_, as the children of the counts of provence were often brought up here. it was sacked on several occasions during the religious wars in the 16th century. twelve miles to the n.w. is st maximin (with a fine medieval church), which is one of the best starting-points for the most famous pilgrimage resort in provence, the sainte baume, wherein st mary magdalene is said to have taken refuge. this is 20 m. distant by road. (w. a. b. c.)