Seven families thirty-five souls That’s all that lived in Nerville in 1331. Can you imagine a village so small? This quiet hamlet nestled on the northeastern slope of the Isle-Adam forest is Nerville-la-Forêt. Its history stretches back centuries. Originally known as Nigra Villa or “Black Domain” Nerville’s early inhabitants were charcoal burners. They fueled the plaster workshops using gypsum mined from the nearby forest. The name evolved through Nerviller to its current form in 1698. For centuries Nerville remained a small rural community. It belonged to the County of Beaumont and later the royal domain. Powerful figures such as Constable Anne de Montmorency and the Prince of Conti held sway over Nerville. The Prince even resold the county in 1783. Famous novelist Honoré de Balzac found inspiration in the area. Characters in his novels such as “Splendeurs et misères des courtisanes” and “Un début dans la vie” traversed the forests around Nerville. They walked paths between Maffliers and Presles passing near Franconville castle. Nerville itself is mentioned several times in Balzac’s works.
The people of Nerville longed for independence from the larger commune of Presles. The journey to the Presles town hall was arduous more than three kilometers away. In 1840 Nerville petitioned for independence. An administrative inquiry highlighted the hamlet’s isolation the lack of local authority and the difficult terrain. The judge of peace supported Nerville’s plea noting the hardships faced by villagers for even basic services. By 1851 Nerville boasted 443 inhabitants and 340 hectares of land.
The old Saint Claude chapel near the current Rue Saint Claude was dilapidated. A deal was struck in 1835 by the Countess of Ruty. The old chapel and a path were given to her in exchange for a new church and school. The new church is the one that stands today. The judge of peace deemed a separate Nerville essential for moral religious and legal order. Presles’s municipal council recognizing Nerville’s persistence finally supported the separation. The emperor’s decree arrived on September 9 1863. Nerville became an independent commune. In 1950 Nerville officially became Nerville-la-Forêt to avoid confusion with similarly named villages.
Tragedy struck during World War II. Nerville’s forests sheltered a clandestine Resistance printing press. In August 1944 German soldiers captured Resistance fighters. Five villagers were taken hostage: the mayor Henri Sadier the farmer André Commelin the teacher Paul Duclos and two young men Marcel Harlay and Henri Douay. They were executed at Les Quatre Chaînes in Domont forest. Their names now grace the streets and square forming the heart of Nerville-la-Forêt. Even today the memory of this event remains strong a stark contrast to the peaceful forest that surrounds the town. The Chateau de Nerville witnessed the somber gathering of 3000 mourners at their funeral. This quiet village holds a wealth of history. Every building every street speaks to the unique experiences that shaped this remarkable place. Nerville-la-Forêt continues to be a testament to its resilient and proud community.