Since 1994, these two famous tourist cities have been in contact with each other. The population is approximately the same as Siófok's. Saint-Laurent-du-Var is located in the southern part of France, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. The city was named after Saint Laurent, under whose protection a hospice was founded in the 11th century. The Var River, which runs through the region, served as the border between the French Kingdom and the County of Nice (which was then part of Italy). The purpose of the hospice was to assist those crossing the river. Today, the city is part of the Greater Nice urban area. The population figures have been recorded since the census conducted in 1793. In 2019, the population of the municipality was 29,169. Siófok and Saint-Laurent-du-Var became sister cities on August 19, 2002, with the aim of promoting tourism, culture, and sports. The III. Napoleon Bridge connects the city to Nice, crossing the Var River. From 1388 to 1860, it served as the border between the Duchy of Savoy (later the Kingdom of Sardinia) and the County of Provence, which was annexed by France in 1481. Apart from some French occupations of the County of Nice, the bridge remained the border until 1860 when it was named after Napoleon III, who successfully acquired the County of Nice from the House of Savoy. Saint-Laurent-du-Var is home to more than 260 bird species in its ornithological area, including migratory birds. It is a popular fishing destination for fishermen. Along the Mediterranean coast, beautiful walking paths can be found, and a 2-kilometer stretch of beach offers various opportunities for water sports such as sailing, surfing, and diving.
Famous People:
- Lucien Teisseire (1919-2007): French professional road cyclist
- César Ossola (1848-1915): French politician, a major road in Saint-Laurent-du-Var is named after him.
