Dieulefit

Dieulefit
The centre of Dieulefit
Location of Dieulefit
Dieulefit
Dieulefit
Coordinates: 44°31′27″N 5°03′59″E / 44.5242°N 5.0664°E / 44.5242; 5.0664
CountryFrance
RegionAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
DepartmentDrôme
ArrondissementNyons
CantonDieulefit
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Christian Bussat[1]
Area
1
27.42 km2 (10.59 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[2]
3,289
 • Density119.9/km2 (310.7/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
26114 /26220
Elevation323–969 m (1,060–3,179 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Dieulefit (French pronunciation: [djøl(ə)fi]; Occitan: Dieulofet, from Old Occitan Dieu lo fe "God made it")[3] is a commune in the Drôme department in southeastern France.

History

The origin of Dieulefit's name is debated. Some sources suggest it refers to the village as divinely created, while others interpret it as referencing a resting place for Crusaders or the authority of the local lord.

Dieulefit has a long tradition of providing refuge. In 1939 and during World War II, the village welcomed Spanish Republicans, Jews, and other persecuted people, earning the nickname "miracle of Dieulefit" for the safety and solidarity offered to refugees.[4] Nine of Dieulefit's inhabitants were named righteous among the nations.

Population

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations de référence 2023" (in French). National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 18 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Village de Dieulefit". Dieulefit Tourisme. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Dieulefit Refuge for Persecuted People". Dieulefit Tourisme. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  5. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Dieulefit, EHESS (in French).
  6. ^ Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023, INSEE