Pimelles
Pimelles () is a small village nestled in the rolling hills of the department of Yonne in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, north-central France. Part of the canton of Tonnerrois, it covers 10 km². Its present mayor is Adrien Retif. History The history of Pimelles dates to at least 1035, when Raynaud, the Count of Tonnerre, gave "Pimella" to the nearby Abbey of Saint Michael. The Knights Templar Commandry of Saint Mark at Nuits-sous-Ravières established a sub-commandry in Pimelles during the 14th century. A Renaissance-era bridge can be found in the center of town. Until the French Revolution, Pimelles was the estate of the Viart family. The former Viart manor house, which was constructed around 1788, now serves as the town hall. Count Louis-Alexandre-Charles Viart de Pimelles rebuilt the village church, Our Lady of the Assumption, in 1781, shortly before the Revolution. The church contains a notable portrait of Pope Alexander III. The registered population of Pimelles at this time was 50 households focusing primarily on wood-felling, farming, and wine-growing. The Viart family fled France during the Revolution. They were unable to reclaim the estate after the Restoration. American troops from the 80th (the Blue Ridge) Division were garrisoned in Pimelles during World War