69400 Villefranche-sur-Saône
La ville fut fondée, ex nihilo par Humbert III de Beaujeu en 1140, pour contrecarrer les archevêques-comtes de Lyon dont les possessions s’étendaient jusqu’à Anse.
The town was founded ex nihilo by Humbert III de Beaujeu in 1140, to thwart the archbishop-counts of Lyon whose possessions extended as far as Anse.
From the outset, Villefranche served as a staging post between Lyon and Mâcon, around 30 km from both. This was the daily distance travelled.
The town is surrounded by ramparts nearly two kilometres long, reinforced by thirty-two towers and pierced by four gates located at the cardinal points.
Historians of Villefranche are in the habit of referring to the city within its ramparts as the "Nave" of Calado, in reference to the origin of the city's shape, which resembles that of a boat.
To encourage the town's economic development, the Sires de Beaujeu granted charters of franchises and privileges. Thanks to these advantages, the town became a "free town".
To attract new inhabitants, the lord granted them a plot of land. The houses evolved. Initially built of wood, they were gradually replaced by stone buildings, still along the rue Nationale, from the 15th century onwards.
