Editing Toul

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{short description|Subprefecture and commune in Grand Est, France}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name               = Toul
|commune status     = [[Subprefectures in France|Subprefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
|image              = Toul-cathedrale-2005.jpg
|caption            = [[Toul Cathedral]]
|image coat of arms = Blason Toul 54.svg
|arrondissement     = Toul
|canton             = Toul
|INSEE              = 54528
|postal code        = 54200
|mayor              = Alde Harmand<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}</ref>
|term               = 2020&ndash;2026
|intercommunality   = Terres Touloises
|coordinates        = {{coord|48.675|5.8917|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m        =
|elevation min m    = 200
|elevation max m    = 400
|area km2           = 30.59
|population         = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date    = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
|image flag=Toul Flag.svg}}

'''Toul''' ({{IPA|fr|tul}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in the [[Meurthe-et-Moselle]] [[Departments of France|department]] in north-eastern [[France]].

It is a [[Subprefectures in France|sub-prefecture]] of the department.

==Geography==
Toul is between [[Commercy]] and [[Nancy, France|Nancy]], and the river [[Moselle]] and [[Canal de la Marne au Rhin]].

===Climate===

Toul has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb''). The average annual temperature in Toul is {{cvt|9.8|C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|761.1|mm}} with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in July, at around {{cvt|18.6|C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{cvt|1.3|C}}. The highest temperature ever recorded in Toul was {{cvt|37.9|C}} on 11 August 1998; the coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-17.8|C}} on 9 January 1985.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|collapsed = true
|location = Toul (1981−2010 normals, extremes 1968−1998)
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 15.2
|Feb record high C = 20.2
|Mar record high C = 24.3
|Apr record high C = 27.2
|May record high C = 29.4
|Jun record high C = 33.4
|Jul record high C = 36.8
|Aug record high C = 37.9
|Sep record high C = 30.9
|Oct record high C = 26.5
|Nov record high C = 19.4
|Dec record high C = 17.2
|Jan record low C = -17.8
|Feb record low C = -16.3
|Mar record low C = -14.6
|Apr record low C = -5.6
|May record low C = -2.1
|Jun record low C = 0.2
|Jul record low C = 4.3
|Aug record low C = 3.8
|Sep record low C = 0.3
|Oct record low C = -4.9
|Nov record low C = -10.9
|Dec record low C = -17.6
|Jan high C = 3.8
|Feb high C = 5.4
|Mar high C = 10.2
|Apr high C = 13.6
|May high C = 18.2
|Jun high C = 21.1
|Jul high C = 24.4
|Aug high C = 24.2
|Sep high C = 19.5
|Oct high C = 14.2
|Nov high C = 7.9
|Dec high C = 4.9
|year high C = 14.0
|Jan mean C = 1.3
|Feb mean C = 2.0
|Mar mean C = 6.1
|Apr mean C = 8.8
|May mean C = 13.1
|Jun mean C = 16.1
|Jul mean C = 18.8
|Aug mean C = 18.6
|Sep mean C = 14.7
|Oct mean C = 10.4
|Nov mean C = 5.1
|Dec mean C = 2.6
|year mean C = 9.8
|Jan low C = -1.2
|Feb low C = -1.3
|Mar low C = 1.9
|Apr low C = 3.9
|May low C = 8.0
|Jun low C = 11.1
|Jul low C = 13.2
|Aug low C = 12.9
|Sep low C = 9.8
|Oct low C = 6.6
|Nov low C = 2.3
|Dec low C = 0.2
|year low C = 5.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 63.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 51.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 55.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 52.1
|May precipitation mm = 73.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 77.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 58.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 54.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 65.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 73.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 62.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 73.8
|year precipitation mm = 761.1
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 12.1
|Feb precipitation days = 10.2
|Mar precipitation days = 11.6
|Apr precipitation days = 10.1
|May precipitation days = 11.7
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 8.6
|Aug precipitation days = 7.7
|Sep precipitation days = 8.8
|Oct precipitation days = 11.7
|Nov precipitation days = 10.7
|Dec precipitation days = 11.5
|year precipitation days = 126.2
|Jan snow days = 7.4
|Feb snow days = 7.3
|Mar snow days = 4.6
|Apr snow days = 1.6
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 2.4
|Dec snow days = 4.4
|year snow days = 27.7
|source 1 = [[Météo-France]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_54463001.pdf
|title=Fiche Climatologique Statistiques 1981-2010 et records
| publisher = [[Météo-France]]
| access-date = August 23, 2022}}</ref>}}

==History==
Toul was known to the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] as {{lang|la|Tullum Leucorum}}, and was the capital of the [[Gaul|Gaulish]] tribe of the [[Leuci]].

In 550, King [[Theudebald]] convoked a [[Council of Toul|synod at Toul]]. 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 of France|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]].

Toul was the seat of the [[bishop of Toul|bishops of Toul]]; the diocese was founded around 365 and existed until 1807.

During the [[siege of Toul|siege]] of 1870 during the [[Franco-Prussian War]], the last time that Toul's defenses were used as a classic fortress, 64 guns opened fire at 6:00&nbsp;a.m. on 23 September, and the fortress surrendered at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. after 2,433 shells had been fired.

The city was also the primary base of the [[Air Service, United States Army]], a predecessor organization of the [[United States Air Force]] during [[World War I]]. As such, it was a base for many of the 45 wartime squadrons of the [[First Army Air Service]], including the squadrons of the [[1st Pursuit Group]], [[First Army Observation Group]] and others. The Americans referred to the area around Toul as the Toul Sector. Two large operations were launched from this area: the [[St. Mihiel Offensive]] and the [[Meuse-Argonne Offensive]], both in September 1918. During [[World War II]], the American [[358th Fighter Group]] used [[Toul-Croix De Metz Airfield]] (A-90) during the fall of 1944 and spring of 1945, and [[Toul-Rosières Air Base]] (BA 136) was an American [[NATO]] air base during the 1950s and 1960s.

==Population==
{{Historical populations
|align = none
|cols = 2
|percentages = pagr
|source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|37808|Toul}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-54528#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref>
|graph-pos = bottom
|1793 |8015
|1800 |6940
|1806 |6973
|1821 |7535
|1831 |7507
|1836 |7333
|1841 |7037
|1846 |7158
|1851 |7271
|1856 |8191
|1861 |7687
|1872 |6930
|1876 |10085
|1881 |10012
|1886 |10459
|1891 |12138
|1896 |12201
|1901 |12287
|1906 |13663
|1911 |15884
|1921 |12363
|1926 |11951
|1931 |12656
|1936 |13267
|1946 |9389
|1954 |12134
|1962 |14155
|1968 |14780
|1975 |16454
|1982 |17406
|1990 |17281
|1999 |16945
|2007 |16230
|2012 |16271
|2017 |15832
}}

==Sights==
The most striking features are the impressive stone [[defensive wall|rampart]]s. Those that exist today are the work of [[Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban]], [[Louis XIV]]'s military engineer. In 1698 he designed a new enclosure and work began in 1699-1700. Several of [[Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban|Vauban]]'s fortifications in France are listed as a combined [[List of World Heritage Sites in France|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Although the fortifications at Toul are not in that list they do follow the general [[Enfilade and defilade|defiladed]] fortification pattern for which [[Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban|Vauban]] is known.<ref>{{cite book|last=Griffith|first=Paddy|title=The Vauban fortifications of France|year=2006|publisher=Osprey|location=Oxford [u.a.]|isbn=1841768758|edition=1. publ.}}</ref> 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 [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] archaeology in the area and allegedly some in the town. The Roman [[fortified town]] of [[Grand, Vosges|Grand]] is some 30&nbsp;km 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 [[Toul cathedral|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. The gothic chapel of the Knights Templar [[Commandery of Libdeau]] is undergoing a major restoration.

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 river [[Moselle]] (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, France|Nancy]]. However, the Paris-Strasbourg [[LGV Est|TGV line]], completed in 2016, passes about 20&nbsp;km north of Toul, approximately midway between [[Metz]] and Nancy.

==Economy==
The surrounding countryside is a wine-growing region, in which the [[Appellation d'origine contrôlée|AOC]] [[Côtes de Toul]] vintage is produced. Particularly notable is the ''Gris de Toul''.

==Administration==
Toul is the seat and part of the [[canton of Toul]], and of the [[arrondissement of Toul]].

==Twin towns==
* {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Jaroměř]], Czech Republic, since 1996
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia|Hamm]], Germany, since 1987
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Ostrołęka]], Poland, since 2006

==Notable people==
* Saint [[Gerard of Toul]], bishop
* [[Antoine Augustin Calmet]], monk
* [[Marcel Bigeard]], French Army General
* [[Anne-Laure Blin]], politician
* [[Mickaël Causse]], Neuroscientist
* [[Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr]], military leader
* [[Rachid Hamdani]], footballer
* [[Louis Majorelle]], furniture designer and manufacturer
* [[Pascal Vigneron]], musician and director of the Bach Toul Festival

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Toul Mairie.JPG
Apothicaire Toul.JPG
Monument 02113.JPG
France Grand Est 54 Toul 01.jpg
France Grand Est 54 Toul 06.jpg 
Toul Meurthe-et-Moselle Fontaine Louis Curel.JPG
Façade du Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Toul.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery>
Cathédrale de Toul-Façade.JPG|Facade
Collégiale_Saint-Gengoult_de_Toul.jpg
France Grand Est 54 Toul 03.jpg
Toul église saint evre.JPG
Toul église Saint-Paul croix de Metz.JPG
Toul chapelle Notre-Dame.JPG
Toul chapelle Lidbeau.JPG
Toul chapelle gare cou.JPG
Toul Chapelle saint charles hôpital.JPG
Toul chapelle abbaye saint mansuy.JPG
Toul abbaye saint mansuy.JPG
Toul église saint mansuy.JPG
Toul Temple.JPG
Synagogue Toul.JPG
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Toul-Rosieres Air Base]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.toul.fr/ Official site]
* [http://www.lepredenancy.fr Toul tourism office]
* [http://fortiffsere.fr/toul/ Toul stronghold 1870 - 1915] 
* [http://www.usaww1.com/American_wwi_air_force_USAS_Map.php4 USAS in France interactive Google Map of bases, etc. at www.usaww1.com]

{{Meurthe-et-Moselle communes}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toul}}
[[Category:1552 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Communes of Meurthe-et-Moselle]]
[[Category:Leuci]]
[[Category:Subprefectures in France]]
[[Category:Former republics]]
[[Category:Free imperial cities]]
[[Category:Vauban fortifications in France]]
[[Category:Three Bishoprics]]