History & Civilization
With the Iron Age, around 700 BC, fortified villages built from dry stone settled on the heights of the future city. In the city itself, a cabin, some bones and pottery were found, dating from the 5th century BC. This suggests perhaps that the plain was inhabited but nothing is certain.
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Historical sources show a Roman road linking Italy to Spain, from Frejus, Ampus Riez and across the basin of Draguignan. Its exact route is unknown, but you can see fragments on the way to Dragon district, as well as the ruins of the Roman bridge crossing between the Nartuby Rebouillon and La Clappe.
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Draguignan is first mentioned in 909 in the cartulary of Cluny. This is the inventory of a certain Foucher, father of Maieul, the future abbot of Cluny.
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Shortly after the year 1000 a lordship is based in Draguignan, collectively governed by knights and nobles. The city was part of the County of Provence, which was then independent.
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In the 14th century, the city is severely affected by the black plague, famine, economic crisis and theft. In 1341 and 1357 in particular, the town is attacked by large gangs of looters. It is however a period of major administrative reforms, and the lordship becomes more autonomous.