Ever wondered how Vitry-sur-Seine-1, a place in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, got its name? It is a story of Gallo-Roman landowners and a desire to stand out.
Vitry-sur-Seine was the original name. The name “Vitry” can be traced back to Medieval Latin “Vitriacum”. Before that, it was called “Victoriacum”. This meant “estate of Victorius”. He was a Gallo-Roman landowner.
But there were other places called Vitry in France. So in 1897, the commune officially changed its name to Vitry-sur-Seine. The “sur-Seine” part means “upon Seine”. This helped people distinguish it from other Vitrys. Vitry-sur-Seine-1 and Vitry-sur-Seine-2 are cantons or districts within the larger commune.
Vitry-sur-Seine-1 is part of the Grand Paris. Pierre Bell-Lloch has been its mayor since 2020. The area of Vitry-sur-Seine is 11.67 square kilometers. It has a high population density.
The city can be separated into three distinct parts. There is the center with housing projects. Peripheral neighborhoods belong to the middle class. A large industrial area lies along the Seine River. Ivry-sur-Seine is to the north. Alfortville is to the east. To the south are Choisy-le-Roi and Thiais. Chevilly-Larue and Villejuif are to the west.
Now that you know where Vitry-sur-Seine-1 got its name. The name reflects its history and location. Next time you hear the name Vitry-sur-Seine-1. Remember Victorius. Think about the river Seine. This area has evolved from ancient estates to a modern community.