Country France Intercommunality Pays d'Aix Area 10.82 km² Arrondissement Aix-en-Provence | Department Bouches-du-Rhône Population (2008) 2,227 Local time Tuesday 7:29 AM | |
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Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Canton Aix-en-Provence-Nord-Est Weather 5°C, Wind E at 3 km/h, 87% Humidity | ||
Le Tholonet (Lou Toulounet and Lo Tolonet in Provençal) is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France. Its inhabitants are called Tholonétiens.
Contents
Map of 13100 Le Tholonet, France
Geography
The commune is near Aix-en-Provence, and at the foot of the montagne Sainte-Victoire. The river Arc goes through the commune.
The hamlet of Palette, which gives its name to the Palette AOC appellation, is located on the commune's territory.
History
The earliest signs of human presence can be dated back to the Iron Age, and are located in the Infernet and Espinades ranges.
In the nineteenth century, a small oppidum named "Ragabom camp" or "Ratabom camp" was discovered at the Infernet site. The camp consists of fortifications build with large stone blocks. The ruins are barely discernible today. Archeological surveys done from 1979-1980 helped discover furnishings dated from the Iron Ages up to the 2nd century BC, a time when the site was highly populated.