Draguignan

Draguignan (French: [dʁaɡiɲɑ̃]; Occitan: Draguinhan) is a commune in the Var department in the administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (formerly Provence), southeastern France.

Draguignan was founded in antiquity. The city stands out because of its long history and great location, just 25 km (16 mi) from the Mediterranean Sea and nestled between the French Riviera and the Verdon Regional Natural Park. The city is 42 km (26 mi) from Saint-Tropez, and 80 km (50 mi) from Nice. Its population is approximately 40,000. Additionally, the city serves as the administrative center of the Dracénie Provence Verdon urban community, which includes twenty-three municipalities and more than 110,000 residents.

The city is currently home to two military schools, the Infantry School and the Artillery School.

According to legend, the name of the city is derived from the Latin name "Draco/Draconem" (dragon): a bishop, called Saint Hermentaire, killed a dragon and saved people.

The Latin motto of Draguignan is Alios nutrio, meos devoro (I nourish others, I devour my own).

The elevation is 200 m. The highest hill near Draguignan is Malmont (551 m). The main river near Draguignan is the Nartuby.

The city is set in a valley NW-SE, about 2 km (1 mi) wide.

Under the Köppen climate classification, Draguignan falls within the Mediterranean climate zone (Csa), with mild and wet winters, and hot and dry summers, with most of the precipitation occurring during the autumn months of October and November. Frost is rare and temperatures rarely fall below freezing. Furthermore, the town is protected from wind by the Malmont peak and the western massif of the Selves.