Vaires-sur-Marne

Gazing across the Marne, can you envision Vaires-sur-Marne half a million years ago? Stone tools unearthed here whisper tales of early inhabitants. Yet, the first written mention of Vaires-sur-Marne surfaces only in 710, referencing a rural estate linked to Lagny-sur-Marne. Fast forward to 1430. Vaires-sur-Marne became the backdrop for Joan of Arc’s last victorious battle. Imagine her leading the charge against Franquet d’Arras on the “Prairie de Vaires.” This victory echoed through time, inspiring the dedication of Vaires-sur-Marne’s second church, completed in 1934, to Joan of Arc. Vaires-sur-Marne wasn’t always a bustling town. The 1789 grievance records reveal a modest village of about 100 inhabitants, comprising just 18 families. The population has blossomed to over 13,000 as of 2014. For years, Vaires-sur-Marne was perceived as a town for an aging population. But the construction of new housing breathed new life into the community. Young families, drawn to the town’s pleasant setting, settled in Vaires-sur-Marne, transforming its demographic. Today, nearly three-quarters of Vaires-sur-Marne’s residents are under 50. The 19th century ushered in an era of rapid development for Vaires-sur-Marne. The construction of the Vaires-sur-Marne to Neuilly canal and the opening of the first railway stop on the Paris-Strasbourg line in 1898 solidified its growth. Vaires-sur-Marne’s connection to the railway continued to evolve. The original station, overwhelmed by the surge in passengers, was replaced. The current station, inaugurated in 1933, stands as a testament to the town’s railway legacy. Even more remarkable is Vaires-sur-Marne’s role in high-speed rail. It became the starting point of the first section of the TGV Est line in 2007. This 300km stretch connected Vaires-sur-Marne to Baudrecourt. The completed high-speed line promises to link Vaires-sur-Marne to Vendenheim. Vaires-sur-Marne’s transformation from village to town began in earnest around 1908. The Bernheim real estate company, acquiring land, shaped the town’s current layout and suburban character. The company even donated land for the construction of a new town hall and school, inaugurated in 1909. This building, renovated in 1991-1992, still retains its original charm. World War II left its mark on Vaires-sur-Marne. A military leave camp, built in 1916 between Chelles and Vaires-sur-Marne, later became a sprawling 210-hectare railway yard. This crucial hub, targeted by Allied bombings, brought destruction and loss of life to Vaires-sur-Marne. Yet, from the ashes, the town rose, earning the War Cross in 1948. Vaires-sur-Marne continued to evolve in the post-war era. The construction of a coal-fired power plant in the 1960s brought economic prosperity and further development. The plant, a prominent landmark for over 40 years, was dramatically demolished in 2010, making way for new combustion turbines.