Villeneuve-sur-Yonne lies on the bank of the River Yonne, between the cities of Sens and Joigny. The city was founded in 1163 by Louis VII of France to protect the kingdom of France at the boundary of the Champagne. In 1204 King Philip II Augustus held parliament in the city, and Louis IX resided in the city before departing for the Eighth Crusade. In 1594 the city was burnt down. During the French Revolution the name was changed from le-Roi (the king) to sur-Yonne (on the Yonne). Now it is surrounded by a partly intact wall, built during the 12th century, which was one of the 8 residences of the French kings.
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