Quietly resting on Rue du Colonel Rol-Tanguy lies a place of remembrance. This is the Cimetière Communal de Fleury-Mérogis. It is more than just a burial ground. It’s a space filled with stories and memories.
The Cimetière Communal de Fleury-Mérogis serves as a reminder of lives lived. It offers a tranquil setting for reflection. The cemetery is open to visitors throughout the year. From April 1st to September 30th it welcomes guests from 8 AM to 7 PM. During the colder months from October 1st to March 31st the hours are 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
Fleury-Mérogis itself has a rich history. The town’s name evolved over time. It was first recorded as Floriacum around 1093. The name then changed to Flory and Flury before becoming Fleury. Guillaume de Méraugis a local lord added the final part of the name. He thus created Fleury-Mérogis.
The town saw the construction of a grand chateau in 1725. Dame Louise Béraut ordered its construction. She was the widow of the attorney general Joly de Fleury. The Joly family had owned the land since 1602. The chateau later passed to Jacques François Napoléon Grandidier. He was the father of explorer Ernest Grandidier. Edmond Bartissol later acquired the estate in 1888. He was known for inventing the aperitif of the same name.
In 1961, the Ministry of Justice sought land for a prison. The 180 hectares of the Plessis-le-Comte farm were chosen. Construction of the Fleury-Mérogis prison began in 1962. It was meant to relieve overcrowding in Paris prisons. Architects Guillaume Gillet Pierre Vagne Jacques Durand and René Boeuf designed it. The prison opened with a capacity of about 2850 inmates. It includes facilities for men young adults and women.
Fleury-Mérogis also has a history of education. The first school opened in 1834. It was a thatched-roof barn near the church. A law in 1833 required every village to have a school. This original school closed due to disrepair in 1862. Later a school was established in the salon of the Bauër family. A new school opened in 1863.
Today Fleury-Mérogis is known for its green spaces. Parks such as the Bois de St Eutrope and the Lac de la Greffière provide recreation. The town is also near major employment centers. These include the Orsay-Saclay-Massy area.
As you leave the Cimetière Communal de Fleury-Mérogis take a moment. Remember the lives and stories connected to this place. It is a reminder of the past and a place for quiet contemplation.