Ancient Diocese of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux

The Diocese of Saint -Paul -Trois -Chateaux, is a former Roman Catholic diocese in France. It was a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Arles.

The diocese was erected in the 4th century. It lay on the left bank of the Rhône on the border between Dauphiné and Provence. The territory of the diocese was part of the Principality of Orange. For 200 years it was united to the diocese of Orange, until it again was able to win its independence in 1113. The scope of the diocese was small, it included at the beginning of the 12th century about 30 parishes. The bishop was confronted with the claim to power of the neighboring Count of Valentinois and of the Counts of Toulouse. Count Raymond VI. of Toulouse besieged the city in 1202, forcing the bishop allegiance. Bishop Geoffroy de Vogüé settled in 1214 by Emperor Frederick II confirmed his Lehnsrechte and privileges. During the 14th century, the bishops of the patronage of the popes at Avignon imputed. After the return of the popes to Rome, the bishops concluded a Pareage with the French king.

With the Concordat of 1801, the diocese of Saint -Paul -Trois -Châteaux was dissolved and divided between the Archdiocese of Avignon and the Diocese of Valence.