Villedieu (Vaucluse)
Villedieu is a commune with 515 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Vaucluse and the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur.
Geography
Villedieu is located about six kilometers north of Vaison -la -Romaine. The municipality is bounded on the north by the river Eygues, which also forms the border to the Drome region. Other surrounding communities adjacent to Vaison are Puyméras, Saint- Romain -en- Viennois and Buisson in Vaucluse, and Saint- Maurice- sur- Eygues, Vinsobres and Mirabel- aux- Baronnies in Drôme. Nearest large towns are Valréas in the north ( 12 km), Bollène in the west ( 23 km) and Orange in the south west (25 km).
Traffic
The community is connected to the neighboring department in the northeast of the departmental road D7. The D94 goes south to Vaison -la -Romaine. About the D75 Buisson can be approached in the West.
History
The oldest remains are found worked flints from the Paleolithic. From the Roman period are some grave goods found. Villedieu was probably a Gallo-Roman villa near Vasio ( Vaison -la -Romaine ). The place name derives from the Latin Villa Dei, for which there are no written documents, however.
Later Villedieu was divided between the Templars and the Hospitallers. The village was once a medieval Knights Templar to come, and had a castle with a tower. 1317 was the papacy which goods of the St. John and gave them later to loyal followers and Cardinals continue. Villedieu belonged until 1791 to the Comtat venaissin and was subsequently incorporated into the Kingdom of France.
Population Development
Attractions
The more than 10 -meter-high wall was like the church probably built in the 10th century. It was restored in the course of time several times and has three gates. The middle gate is formed from the bell tower that still the recesses for the portcullis and a papal coat of arms can be seen, which is regarded as the only trust in the Comtat venaissin. The clock tower is dated to the 12th century.
The city wall is accessible only in the part that closes the village square in the northeast. In the remaining portion of private houses and a restored castle are built that is supposed to represent the former Templar Coming, but probably rather belonged to the Knights of St. John. The donjon of the Templars is a square, built in the nave of the church tower of 18.5 m high. The tower is jagged at the top and pierced with loopholes and three large openings in which each suspended a bell.
The parish church of Saint -Michel is of Roman origin. It dates to the 10th century with later additions in the 12th century.
In Saint -Laurent district is a recently restored chapel of the same name.