Valence, Drôme
In August 121 BC, the army of Quintus Fabius Maximus crushed the Allobroges tribe at the Battle of the Isère River. This military victory marked the beginning of Roman control over the territory that would become Valence. The Romans established a settlement on a terrace on the left bank of the Rhône river, south of the confluence with the Isère and from the Drôme. Excavations on the upper part of the plateau of Lautagne revealed defensive devices dating from the 1st century BC. These findings suggest the city originated as a Roman military camp before evolving into an urban center. Under Emperor Augustus, Valentia became a colony and grew to be the largest crossroad behind Lyon. The ancient city received an orthonormal plan with streets following cadastres inclined N, 12°30'E and N, 23'E. A forum likely stood near the Rue du Théâtre and Rue Vernoux, surrounded by civil basilica and temple ruins. Thermal water supplied the city through numerous springs in the vicinity. Aqueducts brought water from the source of the Treuil to the Chony quarter. The city was surrounded by ramparts constructed between 15 BC and 15 AD. In 1869, excavations to the south of the old town revealed a monumental gate defended by two protruding towers adorned with shields, leggings, and breastplates.
Around 800, a new Cathedral of Saint-Estève replaced the baptistery with a choir oriented to the west. It housed relics of saints Apollinaire, Cyprien, Corneille, Félix, Fortunat, Achillée, and a fragment of the True Cross. Two major figures vied for power over the city: the Bishop and the Count of Valentinois. In 890, Louis III was crowned King of Provence in Valence by his mother, the widow of King Boso of Provence. The region suffered raids by Saracens at the end of the 9th and 10th centuries. The Rhône served as a border between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire until the 15th century. In 1424, the County of Valentinois attached itself to Dauphiné after being sold by heirs including Louise de Poitiers. Founded on the 26th of July 1452 by dauphin Louis, future Louis XI, the University of Valence grew quickly. Renowned professors like Jacques Cujas taught law, theology, medicine, and arts. On the 12th of October 1461, Louis XI confirmed the university's status via letters patent. In March 1480, the king supported the institution again. This golden age ended abruptly in 1562 when Protestant Baron des Adrets occupied the city. All religious buildings were partially or completely destroyed during this occupation.
News of the storming of the Bastille reached the region around the 20th of July 1789, causing hope and anxiety about reactionary plots. National guards formed quickly in Valence, but communities constituted local federations of mutual assistance bypassing old provincial divisions. On the 31st of January 1790, Valence invited surrounding communities and gathered 16,000 guards from 293 communes. The Fête de la Fédération of the 14th of July 1790 was celebrated simultaneously in 250 cities across France, including Valence. The university disappeared in 1792 to be reborn at the end of the 20th century. On the 29th of August 1799, Pope Pius VI died in exile within the Roman Republic created by the First French Republic. His body remained in Valence until the 24th of December 1801 before returning to Vatican. In May 1755, smuggler Louis Mandrin challenged the Ferme Générale and redistributed stolen proceeds. After spending days in city prison, Mandrin was sentenced to death on the breaking wheel where his scaffold stood. His body exposed for three days after execution drew crowds paying tribute as his legend grew. Napoleon Bonaparte served in La Fère artillery regiment from 1785 to 1786. He returned repeatedly to Valence, crossing the city on the 12th of October 1799 during his return from Egypt expedition.
After the Armenian genocide of 1915, many Armenians took refuge in France during the 1920s. Valence employers traveled to Marseille to recruit 150 of the first arrivals in 1922. By 1926, 827 Armenians had settled in Valence, reaching 1,670 by 1931 from Bursa, Malatya, and Harput. An Armenian quarter developed between Boulevard Vauban, Rue Farnerie, Rue Madier-Montjau, and Boulevard d'Alsace, populated 40% by Armenians. The entire old town with dilapidated buildings became involved in this process. In 1956, the group numbered 2,500 people, representing 6% of Valence's population and forming the fourth-largest Armenian community in France after Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Strong identity persisted through newspapers, cinemas, dance halls, and the Armenian Sports Union centered around the Armenian village on Rue de Fontlozier. In 1946, half of the 2,000 Armenians opted for French citizenship. A 1947 offer allowing 200 Armenians to return to Soviet countries proved a failure. The community welcomed new refugees escaping political turmoil in Syria during the 1950-60s and Lebanon during its civil war in 1970-80s. Seven thousand five hundred people in Valence belonged to this community according to Krikor Amirzayan's research. Streets like Rue d'Arménie and Place Missak Manouchian reference the presence. Cultural life remains active with 28 associations including Evangelical Church, Armenian courts, and House of Armenian culture.
Germany invaded France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands on the 10th of May 1940. During World War II, Valence suffered several allied aerial bombardments intended to destroy bridges over the Rhône. On the 15th of August 1944, bombs destroyed quarters and buildings including the hospital, killing 280 people. From the era of the prefecture, only the gate remained carefully preserved since then. Four days later on the 19th of August 1944, a German train loaded with nitroglycerin exploded, largely destroying La Palla quarter and causing 335 casualties among civilians, military, and resistance fighters. On the 2nd of August 1944, bombings of railway depot and yard at Portes-lès-Valence destroyed 51 locomotives with 12 victims and 58 wounded among workers and population. The northern part of Valence almost completely razed to ground was rebuilt today featuring administrative buildings such as general treasury, social security, post office, and police headquarters. Drôme department saw some of France's most active resistance movements. In 1943, resistance organized and grew as many Drôme people committed themselves to the cause. Young men required to work in Germany under STO refused and hid in countryside or joined Maquis units. Resistance developed throughout entire department in small units supported by local population.
Valence occupies key position at center of Rhône corridor connecting Paris to Mediterranean Sea. Its location places city at mouth of Valley of Isère path to Alps within western historical province of Dauphiné boundary of Ardèche department separated by Rhône river. Surrounding mountain ranges include Massif Central and Ardèche hills westward plus Vercors Massif eastward in French Prealps. City sits southeast of Paris equidistant south of Lyon southwest of Grenoble north of Avignon north of Marseille north of Montpellier southwest of Saint-Étienne east of Le Puy-en-Velay north of Montélimar east of Privas west of Die. Located few kilometers south of 45th parallel often called gateway to Southern France with saying à Valence le Midi commence meaning at Valence the Midi commences according to northern speakers. Agglomeration based on four alluvial terraces ranging left bank of Rhone: lowest closest river where districts fishermen sailors existed; intermediate terrace safe from floods grew into historic city first within walls then expanded outside; third terrace highly urbanized second half 20th century; highest plateau Lautagne developed technological activities end 20th century edge grain vegetable farms. Administratively commune located south Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region northern half Drôme department prefecture southwest Arrondissement Valence capital. Commune part Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo including 56 communes since inception the 1st of January 2017 most populous city.
Current mayor Nicolas Daragon member UMP elected April 2014 leads municipal council comprising 49 members including 14 deputies and 34 councillors renewable six-year term. Hôtel de Ville designated monument historique French government 2018. Major projects address three terraces lining city: first terrace concerns Valence-le-Haut quarters Plan Fontbarlettes; second center south; third banks Rhône. One major project reclamation disfigured banks passage A7 motorway over distance. When mayor Patrick Labaune Member Parliament defended eastern route bypass advocating removal A7 burial semi-covered trenches validated company ASF but current mayor refuses price estimated €500 million experts. Other projects launch create green route banks municipalities Valence Bourg-lès-Valence renovation tourist facilities site Îles quartier transform ecodistrict positive energy housing leading family gardens resettled fertile lands plateau Lautagne. New quarter planned south brownfield Hugo-Provence area former Cime building destroyed 2013 construction 200 housing units half social half private shops hotel delivered before 2015. Opening Hauts-de-Valence subject program urban renewal €117 million jointly funded city ANRU includes demolition 417 houses working-class districts Plan Fontbarlettes reconstruction end 2014 throughout city opening connection areas rest shared public spaces Roosevelt Kennedy boulevards. Estimated €100 million cost last big project supports creation sports culture center former military wasteland Latour-Maubourg hosting new Jean-Pommier pool municipal exhibition hall media hub radio station Le Dauphiné libéré newspaper finally higher education center renovated buildings house students halls Maestris private school nursing school public establishment cultural cooperation Grenoble. Land released relocation prison 2015 launched study establish new palais des congrès area.
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Common questions
When was the Battle of the Isère River fought and what was its outcome for Valence?
The army of Quintus Fabius Maximus crushed the Allobroges tribe at the Battle of the Isère River in August 121 BC. This military victory marked the beginning of Roman control over the territory that would become Valence.
Who founded the University of Valence and when did it receive official status?
Dauphin Louis, future Louis XI, founded the University of Valence on the 26th of July 1452. Louis XI confirmed the university's status via letters patent on the 12th of October 1461.
How many Armenians settled in Valence by 1931 and where did they originate from?
By 1931, 1,670 Armenians had settled in Valence after arriving from Bursa, Malatya, and Harput. An Armenian quarter developed between Boulevard Vauban, Rue Farnerie, Rue Madier-Montjau, and Boulevard d'Alsace during this period.
What happened to Valence during World War II bombings in 1944?
On the 15th of August 1944, bombs destroyed quarters and buildings including the hospital, killing 280 people. Four days later on the 19th of August 1944, a German train loaded with nitroglycerin exploded, causing 335 casualties among civilians, military, and resistance fighters.
When was the Hôtel de Ville designated as a monument historique?
The Hôtel de Ville was designated a monument historique by the French government in 2018. It currently serves as the seat of the municipal council led by mayor Nicolas Daragon since April 2014.