Lost in the magical aura of Disneyland Paris did you know that most of this enchanting world actually lies within the commune of Chessy?
Chessy a charming commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris is more than just a gateway to the magic. It boasts a rich history dating back to the Late Iron Age. Its name possibly derives from ‘caseus’ meaning cheese suggesting a cheese merchant may have once resided here. The village’s location shifted from a plateau to a hillside likely due to the arrival of feudal lords before the end of the Middle Ages. The first mention of a Lord of Pommeuse dates to 1420. A manor house appeared by 1583.
The heart of old Chessy beats steadily. Its enduring symbol is the church of Saint-Nicolas rebuilt in 1743. The Saint-Nicolas Inn nearby has existed since at least 1619 under various names. Chessy’s 18th-century chateau stands proudly. Its icehouse built in 1773 remains a testament to the past.
The 19th century brought significant changes. The Dhuis aqueduct was built between 1863 and 1865. Its purpose was to supply drinking water to eastern Paris from the Dhuis river. The current town hall a former school dates from 1880. It resulted from the philanthropic efforts of then-mayor Jules Chartier. A remarkable oak tree aged around 400 years old is a silent witness to these changes. So too is the dovecote built in 1600 in the chateau’s outbuildings.
Disneyland Paris’s arrival in 1992 transformed Chessy’s character dramatically. Its transition from a rural village to a bustling peri-urban town reflects this enormous change. The Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy train station opened in the same year and high-speed trains arrived in 1994.
The 21st century sees Chessy continue to evolve. New schools a college and a media library have been created. Urban parks have been landscaped. In 2018 an art-house cinema opened. A new cultural centre opened in 2021 within the Tournelles farm. The Val d’Europe Agglomeration whose headquarters are in Chessy’s chateau. It now encompasses nine communes.
The Dhuys Sculpture Garden created in 1987 by Jacques Servières along the Marne riverbank is a hidden gem. The sculptures are carved from the stones of an aqueduct bombed and destroyed in 1939 during World War II. It is a place of serene beauty and reflection.
Chessy’s history is etched into its architecture its people and its landscape. It is more than just a place to stay before you enter Disneyland. It is a story waiting to be discovered. A story of transformation resilience and the enduring magic of a village with a vibrant past a present undergoing great changes and a future still unfolding.