In Villefranche, the oldest buildings, so picturesque, also have the slimmest profiles. That, of course, is no accident. In 1260, the local lords were anxious to develop the city. They granted the inhabitants the status of freemen and gave them land to build homes. In return, all they had to pay was a single tax, based on the width of their house. It was this levy that resulted in the peculiar architecture along some city streets, which are lined with narrow but tall houses. As for the name of the city, it also comes from the same era: 'ville franche' means 'free city'.
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