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Valence and its History

Founded in 121 before JC Valentia (vigourus city) becomes quickly, thanks to its situation, the biggest centre after Lyon. Today, no monuments remain from this period.
Valence is linked to the the French kingdom in 1446. In the 16th century, the university founded by the  de Dauphin Louis the second, in 1452, futur king Louis XI, welcomes famous teachers, booksellers and printers. The Renaissance art settles with brilliance.
After the violent period of religion wars, François the 1st decides in 1581 to build a second surrounding wall and a citadel to bring back peace and to warrant the inhabitants security. The 17th century is dominated by spiritual mouvements and convent foundations of the Catholic reform.
The military function increases in the 18th century and in 1755 the new Artillery School welcomes the young Napoleon Bonaparte.  The Lights ideas have an influence on the development of the Champ de Mars and the Cagnard promenade situated on the external rampart.

After the Armenian genocide (1918-1921) many armenian nationals come to take refuge  in Valence : today a tenth of the inhabitants of Valence has Armenian origins. Like in the Vercors, World War Two as mutilated the town : the north part of Valence was bombed. These destructions were destinated to the bridge over the river Rhône. At the end of the 19th century, houses with decorated walls and monuments decorate the actual boulevards.  In the 20th century the town radiates around its old town, giving building constructions of quality in the new suburbs, like the water castles of Philolaos (1971). Today Valence is a great urban center of 110 000 inhabitants.