Papal Enclave Villages
This part of Provence has an amazing history dating back to the 12th century when the Knights Templar made it an important garrison, and by the 14th century when it was acquired by the Popes of Avignon and it became a part of the Papal State. Although these villages lie geographically within the “Départment” of the Drôme, when the “Départments” system was established after the French Revolution, the inhabitants of Valreas, Visan, Richeranches and Grillon, decided by referendum, to remain a part of the Départment of the Vaucluse and thus became known as an “Enclave” within the Départment of the Drôme.