Montgeron

Could a simple vineyard hold the seeds of a bustling town? Here in Montgeron, that’s exactly what happened. Montgeron’s story begins in 1147, mentioned as “Mons Gisonis,” a vineyard and chapel belonging to the Saint-Maur abbey. From this humble start, Montgeron blossomed. By the 16th century, the Bude family, lords of Yerres, had transformed Montgeron into a seigneurial estate, complete with a grand chateau. The Brulart and Carré families, powerful figures in the French court, continued the tradition, expanding the chateau and its magnificent French gardens. They even created “La Pelouse,” a grand avenue stretching 1.3 kilometers to the Sénart Forest, originally designed for royal hunts under Louis XIV and XV. Montgeron became a favored starting point for royal excursions into the forest, bustling with activity. Imagine elegant carriages rolling down La Pelouse, the sound of hunting horns echoing through the trees. Fast forward to the 19th century, and Montgeron transformed yet again. The arrival of the railway in 1849 brought Parisian bourgeois families seeking a country escape. Artists like Jean Gigoux and the illustrious Claude Monet were drawn to its charms. Monet even spent the summer of 1876 at the Chateau de Rottembourg, a friend’s estate. It was here in Montgeron, amidst the tranquil gardens, that he painted the iconic “Turkeys,” now displayed in the Musée d’Orsay. He also captured the beauty of Montgeron in “Corner of the Garden at Montgeron” and “Pond at Montgeron.” Montgeron’s artistic legacy continued into the 20th century. In 1903, the town hosted the start of the first Tour de France, a moment immortalized by a sculpture at the famous Auberge du Réveil Matin. Later, during World War I, Montgeron’s own Paul-Marcel Dammann, a renowned sculptor and engraver, designed the town’s poignant war memorial. Today, you can still see Dammann’s moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of Montgeron. Montgeron, once a simple vineyard, has seen centuries of history unfold, from royal hunts to artistic inspiration. It’s a town that embraces its past while looking towards the future, a testament to its resilience and the enduring beauty of its surroundings.