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Trets (Municipality, Bouches-du-Rhône, France)

Flag of Trets - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 27 October 2025

Presentation of Trets
Flag of Trets

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Presentation of Trets

Trets (10,933 inhabitants, 7,031 ha) is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department.

Humans have lived on the site of Trets and in its valley since prehistoric times. The ancient city of Trets was founded by the Greeks. The community was truly organized in the 4th century, around an early Christian priory. Around 122, the Arc Valley suffered invasions by the Cimbri and Teutons, who were stopped by the armies of Marius, and fighting continued well beyond Aix and as far as Pourrières. Between the 6th and 9th centuries, the Upper Arc Valley suffered invasions by the Saracens. The first lord of Trets was Arlulf, around 950: the King of Burgundy-Provence, Conrad the Peaceful (937-993), had decided to give Trets to one of his relatives, Arlulf.

The latter's descendants later became Viscounts of Marseille. Two settlements then existed in the territory of Trets. The first developed around the Château d'Arlulfe, also known as the Castrum de Saint-Michel. This fortification, located at the foot of Mount Olympus, of which only a few ruins of a low wall remain today, was the seat of power of the viscounts of Trets. Further down, in the plain, lies the city of Trets with the parish church of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth. In the Middle Ages, Trets was the capital of the entire valley. During this period, from the 13th to the 15th century, numerous buildings and monuments were constructed. Due to this importance, Trets had its own viguier (a judge who administered justice in the name of the king or count).

In the 16th century, the city's influence waned. Its incorporation into the Viguerie of Aix gradually led to its decline, accentuated by the Wars of Religion, which ruined its finances and trade, and even caused it to lose its prestige as a valley chief. By 1790, Trets was no more than the capital of the canton. As for the origin of the name TRETS, although uncertain, it seems to be derived from Provençal and refers to three co-lords, as evidenced by the coat of arms. Its name was coined around 1664 and became the official name of the city when the departments were created in 1790.

Olivier Touzeau, 27 October 2025

Flag of Trets

The arms are blazoned: Argent three trefoils slipped Vert.
The leaves depicted on the Trets coat of arms are those of Hepatica triloba, also known as "liverwort." This plant grows abundantly at the foot of the Hermitage of Saint Jean du Puy.

The current flag is white with the logo, including the three green trefoils of the arms: photo (2022).

Olivier Touzeau, 27 October 2025