Everything about Toul totally explained
Toul is a historic fortified town of
France, a
sous-préfecture of the
Meurthe-et-Moselle département, with a population of 17,000.
Geography
Toul is located between
Commercy and
Nancy, and situated between the
Moselle River and the
Canal de la Marne au Rhin.
History
Toul was known to the
Romans as
Tullum Leucorum, and was the capital of the
Gaulish tribe of the
Leuci.
In
612, King
Theudebert II of
Austrasia was defeated by King
Theuderic II of Burgundy near Toul. By the
Treaty of Meerssen of
870, Toul became part of
East Francia, the later Holy Roman Empire. During the High Middle Ages, it became a
Free Imperial City. Toul was annexed to France by King
Henry II in
1552; this was recognized by the Holy Roman Empire in the
Peace of Westphalia of
1648. It then was a part of the French province of the
Three Bishoprics.
During the
siege of
1870 during the
Franco-Prussian War, the last time that Toul's defenses were used as a classical fortress, 64 guns opened fire at 6am on
September 23, and the fortress surrendered at 3pm after 2,433 shells had been fired.
Toul was the seat of the
bishops of Toul; the diocese was founded around
365 and existed until
1807.
Sights
The most striking features are the impressive stone
ramparts. It isn't known precisely when they were first built, but there appears to have been a fortified town at this location since the earliest recorded history. Today, the ramparts encircle and define the old town. They are built of dressed white stone, and topped with grass, and in places are over five metres high.
There is a great deal of
Roman archæology in the area and allegedly some in the town. The Roman
fortified town of
Grand is some 30km away, with its great
amphitheatre and temple to the
Cult of Apollo.
The old town's architecture is dominated by past glories in various states of decay, including a major gothic
cathedral, which is in a poor condition and is being slowly restored. Many of the houses were built as canonical residences in the
Late Middle Ages and bear vestiges in the form of ornamental stonework.
There is no trace of the monastery, however its wine-cellars still exist, under the shops on the North side of the Rue Gambetta. (Access is possible via the Camera Shop).
Transportation
Toul is at the intersection of the
Moselle River (which divides into the river proper and the
Moselle Canalisée just outside the town) with the
Canal de la Marne Au Rhin, and was once, consequently, an important port. The barges known as
péniches still navigate these watercourses commercially, typically carrying steel, though in the summer much more of the water traffic is for pleasure.
There is a main-line railway station at Toul, the last major station before the (once vast, and still very large) marshalling yards at
Nancy. However, the Paris-Strasbourg
TGV line, now under construction, will pass about 20km north of Toul, approximately mid-way between
Metz and Nancy. Its completion will likely reduce Toul's importance as a station.
Twin towns
Famous citizens
Saint Gerard of Toul, bishop
Antoine Augustin Calmet, monk
Marcel Bigeard, military leader
Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr, military leader
Louis Majorelle, furniture designer and manufacturerFurther Information
Get more info on 'Toul'.
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