Ever wondered about a town forged from the union of two distinct identities? Corbeil-Essonnes is that place. Let’s delve into its story.
Corbeil-Essonnes stands proudly as one of the two main cities of Essonne. It is located 33km south of Paris. This location gives it considerable advantages. The city is at the meeting point of a major highway network. Three RER stations and a full bus network serve its residents.
Imagine Paris as Lutèce. Essonnes was then called Exona. Old Corbeil stood on the Seine’s right bank. It faced frequent pillaging by the Northmen sailing up the Seine. A new town was built at the junction of the Seine and Essonne. Its boundaries remained largely unchanged until the 17th century.
In 1120 the County of Corbeil became part of the royal domain. Its castle became a favorite residence for French kings. They often visited until the Renaissance.
Corbeil became a stronghold. Its mills processed grain harvested from nearby fertile plains. Churches and monuments enriched Corbeil and Essonnes over time. Abelard taught philosophy here. He contributed to creating great schools. Queen Ingeburge, wife of Philippe-Auguste, built the still-standing Chapel of the Commandery Saint Jean en l’Ile in the 13th century. Louis IX often resided in Corbeil after Queen Blanche de Castille’s death. Henri IV seized Corbeil on April 1 1590. He thwarted the League’s armies.
Jacques Bourgoin, a Corbeil native, founded the Collège de Corbeil on January 30 1656. In 1789 grievance books were opened. Representatives of the people attended the Federation Festival on July 14 1790. Bernardin de Saint-Pierre lived in Essonnes. Alfred Jarry lived in Corbeil. Félicien Rops, a renowned painter, spent the last 15 years of his life here.
From the 18th century, both cities embraced new industries. Oberkampf established spinning mills. Louis Robert developed his continuous paper machine. Aymé Stanislas Darblay created paper mills in Essonnes. Louis Simon Crété founded a printing company now called Hélio-Corbeil. Paul Decauville linked his name to the emerging railway. Paul Doittau became known for the starch factory. It later turned into a chemical products plant.
Corbeil to the north was a place of politics and trade. Essonnes to the south was more agricultural with more space. Despite their differences, it was difficult to separate them. The merger finally happened in 1951. The first suggestion appeared in the grievance books of 1789.
Mills best illustrate the use of hydraulic power. From the 12th century, they became officially the king’s mills. From the 16th century, many settled on the banks of the Essonne. Their activities varied widely. They produced fabrics, wool, paper, and flour. The Grands Moulins tower was built in 1893 by Paul-Emile Friesé. He was a famous architect of industrial buildings.
The imposing sculpture of the Galignani brothers stands on the town hall square. They made their fortune in publishing in London. They shared this fortune with France. Between 1873 and 1883, Antoine and William modernized the city’s sanitation infrastructure. These philanthropists financed health establishments. They supported a hospital, a hospice, schools and an orphanage.
Corbeil-Essonnes today maintains a dynamic economic activity. Major companies operate here. These include XFAB, Génopole, Safran, the Grands Moulins and the Hélio printing company. The city also developed shopping centers in each district. A regional shopping center facilitates residents’ access to local shops.
A grain port enables new modes of transporting goods across Europe. A sustainable development approach continues. It builds on the creation of parks and the protection of natural areas. These green spaces total 80 hectares in the heart of the city.
Corbeil-Essonnes offers residents a remarkable number of public facilities. These include a theater, a cinema, media libraries, a music and dance conservatory, and exhibition halls. The developed sports infrastructure allows for over 50 sports.
Corbeil-Essonnes is a city looking towards the future. Education is a priority. 16 of the city’s 31 schools have been rebuilt or renovated in the last 8 years. All children are welcomed in the canteens.
Corbeil-Essonnes is twinned with European cities. These partnerships foster cultural, tourism, economic, and social exchanges. Corbeil-Essonnes is a city with a considerable past. But it is definitely turned towards the future.