Limours

Did Limours always hold the royal favor? Absolutely not. Before becoming a haven for kings and favorites, Limours, just 31 kilometers southwest of Paris, was a humble farming village. Imagine this tranquil plateau, carved by the small Prédecelle stream, far from the grandeur of royal courts. Limours in the 700s was known as Lemausum, a name possibly derived from the Gaulish word for elm. This suggests a community thrived near the Prédecelle, perhaps as early as the first millennium BC. In 1091, Limours gained significance as a parish, its church given to the Benedictine abbey of Bourgueil. For centuries, Limours remained a modest fief, passing through the hands of various lords until 1376. That’s when King Charles V acquired Limours, integrating it into the royal domain. This marked a turning point. Limours became a favored spot for royal companions. The village, lacking protective walls, relied on the nearby Briis castle for refuge during the Hundred Years’ War. By 1506, Limours had grown, earning the title of “ville” under King Louis XII. Its fortunes continued to rise as prominent figures like Jean Poncher, Anne de Pisseleu (Duchess of Étampes), Diane de Poitiers, and even Cardinal Richelieu, owned the Limours estate. Anne de Pisseleu, a favorite of Francis I, built a magnificent chateau that became a symbol of Limours’ royal connection. Gaston d’Orléans, further enhancing the estate, commissioned Jules Hardouin-Mansart to construct an underground aqueduct and elegant pavilions. Limours wasn’t just a place of leisure. A school for boys existed in 1650, and by the early 1700s, the parish appointed a schoolmistress for girls. In the late 1700s, Limours was a bustling market town centered around a square with a beautiful hall and a church at one end. Bounded by the chateau, a Picpus convent, and a prominent hill known as the Butte du Moulin à Vent, Limours thrived on agriculture and trade. Even after the tumultuous French Revolution, which saw the chateau dismantled and sold, Limours retained its charm. The arrival of the railway in 1867, connecting it to Paris via Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, ushered in a new era of growth and development. Today, Limours stands as a testament to its rich history. The Saint-Pierre church, with its 16th-century stained glass and 17th-century bell tower, remains a focal point. Remnants of Anne de Pisseleu’s chateau, including the dovecote and pavilions, offer glimpses into its opulent past. As you walk through Limours, remember its journey. From a simple village to a royal retreat, Limours has embraced its history while evolving with the times.