Villefranche-sur-Saône

Villefranche-sur-Saône (Velafranche in the Arpitan language) is a town and commune in the Rhône département of the Rhône-Alpes région of east-central France, one mile (1.6 km) west of the Saône River. The inhabitants of the town are called Caladoise(s) (females) and Caladois (males).

The popular French singers Coralie Clément and Benjamin Biolay, as well as football player hopeful Grégory Bettiol were born in Villefranche-sur-Saône.

History

Villefranche-sur-Saône was founded in 1212 by Guichard IV, count of Beaujeu (Bôjor / Biôjœr), and became in the 14th century the capital of the Beaujolais (Biôjolês) province. It endured three sieges in the 15th and 16th centuries. The town walls were taken down early in the 19th century.

Economy

Industries include wine-trading, metallurgy, textiles, and chemicals.

Transport

The Autoroute du Sud is adjacent to the east of the town, running alongside the Saône River.

References

External links

• Official website (in French)