The VIMOS VLT deep survey - First epoch VVDS-deep survey: 11 564 spectra with 17.5 $\leq$ I$_\textit{\textbf{\small AB}}$ $\leq$ 24, and the redshift distribution over 0 $\leq$ z $\leq$ 5

This paper presents the ``First Epoch\'\' sample from the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). The VVDS goals, observations, data reduction with VIPGI, and redshift measurement with KBRED are discussed. Data have been obtained with the VIsible Multi Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) on the ESO-VLT UT3, allowing to observe ~600 slits simultaneously at R~230. A total of 11564 objects have been observed in the VVDS-02h and VVDS-CDFS Deep fields over a total area of 0.61deg^2, selected solely on the basis of apparent magnitude 17.5 <=I_{AB} <=24. The VVDS covers the redshift range 0 < z <= 5. It is successfully going through the ``redshift desert\'\' 1.523.5, probing the bright star forming population of galaxies. This sample provides an unprecedented dataset to study galaxy evolution over 90% of the life of the universe