Names that tell its story
Between Ligure and 1900 Théoule underwent the various fluctuations of the various editors of texts or maps:
– under the Roman occupation: Tèle
– in 450 after J.C: Such (by Saint Eucher in his memories)
– in 1636: Theoulle (diary of a religious dated August 10 ’16’ – 16)
– in 1640: Téoule (land map)
– in 1700: Tuelle (plan of the roadstead)
– Late 18th: Teule and Teule Point (indicated on the map of Cassini)
– in 1807: Teoile (terrestrial map).
The estate of the Lord of La Napoule
Theoule arises from the mists of time, from the molten lava, which has left these red rocks so characteristic.
Theoule was part of the domain of the Lord of La Napoule and it was so until the revolution. Its four ports with their yachts and their few fishing boats are
to replace the many merchant ships and war that in the seventeenth century anchored in this important natural port.
From the soap factory to Théoule castle
On order of Richelieu, a defense tower was built at the beginning of the XVIIth century for the defense of the Bay and the Islands. It was largely destroyed a few years later for budgetary reasons.
The Château de Théoule has been transformed over the centuries. It was built on an old Savonnerie built in the 17th century which remains some vestiges in the basement, and took its current architecture during the various enlargements built since the beginning of this century.
The Legend of the Smuggler
Mr. Gardanne has left his name to a natural cave. On April 10, 1863, the first train made its entrance at the station of Cannes and as of 1882, while its population did not exceed 50 inhabitants, the district of Théoule saw itself endowed with a station thanks to the beauty of its enchanting site which had seduced the board of directors of the company PLM.
The Touring Club de France
In 1888, thanks to the donation of the Pierron family, Fr. François Virgili created Villa St Camille, a welcoming home where Monsieur Abel Ballif, founder and first president of the Touring Club de France, came to rest. region, came to settle and finish his days in Théoule where he was buried in the small communal cemetery.
The "Mimosa route"
Imported from Australia to Bocca by a sailor in 1864, the mimosa quickly reaches Théoule where, at the beginning of the century, we find one of the largest farms of the south (more than 4000 trees): mimosa ambassador of the Côte d’Azur and from Théoule, where every year there are 400 to 500 mountain bikers participating in the “Mimosa route”.
Remembering 15 August 1944
Théoule, its balcony on the Azure, its red rocks, red Porphyry but also the blood of the 11 sailors of the naval group of assault who died there when they landed in the night of 14 to August 15, 1944 and whose The companions of this long night come to perpetuate the memory every August 15th.
Near the monument to the dead on which are engraved the names of the 11 sailors and overlooking the only place in the Alpes Maritimes where took part of the landing of Provence, the town erected a huge Cross of Lorraine in memory of the Appeal of 18 June.
General Bertrand and "Mary": Heroes in the shadows at Théoule
Theoule was able to tribute to a great man, General Bertrand, hero of the resistance, having been several times Mayor of the commune, and his wife “Mary” (his name of
resistance code). Man and woman of the shadow, which allowed to discover the secret of this extraordinary Enigma mechanism used by the Wermarcht to decipher the most secret messages.
Historique de la Corniche d’or
Cette route offre un des plus beaux paysages de la Côte d’Azur. D’abord chemin rural vers Théoule, elle devient route à l’initiative du Maire de Mandelieu, Ludovic Guize, qui propose en mai 1899 l’ouverture du Chemin dit « Nouvelle Corniche de St Raphaël à Cannes ».
Mais sa construction ne démarrera véritablement que grâce à l’offre de concours du Touring Club de France le 19 novembre 1900.
Le Touring-Club, fondé en 1890, travaillait au développement du tourisme, d’abord vélocipédique puis automobile par le biais d’offres de subventions. Unis derrière leur dynamique Président, Abel Ballif (1845-1934), ses dirigeants firent pression sur les pouvoirs publics pour cette réalisation.
D’ailleurs, un monument est édifié au Trayas en l’honneur d’Abel Ballif. Monsieur Guize, maire, proposera que la nouvelle route, terminée le 2 juin 1901, se nomme boulevard du Touring Club de France à Mandelieu.
Devenue la Corniche d’Or, cette œuvre grandiose suit les méandres de la côte en virages serrés, les porphyres rouges ressortant magnifiquement sur le bleu de la Méditerranée et offrant à chaque instant un panorama inoubliable.
Elle fut solennellement inaugurée le 11 avril 1903 par un convoi de près de 200 automobiles suivies d’un flot de cyclistes.
Portant le nom de la Nationale 7 pendant une période, pour des raisons de subventions d’état elle sera classée RN98 en 1935, et en RD6098 en 2006. Elle se trouve être l’une des plus belles routes d’Europe le long de la Méditerranée.
Discover the other remarkable features of Théoule-sur-Mer