Perhaps “a place of grace” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a small village. But that is exactly what Gressy means. “Gressy” comes from the Latin “gratiacum”. It means a pleasing place.
Let’s step back in time to discover Gressy. Imagine life here in prehistoric times. A polished ax and a fist wedge were found here. This suggests people lived here long ago.
Gressy’s recorded history starts in 1180. Raoul de Gressy was a local lord. He founded the church. It was dedicated to Saint Denis. He brought in two Augustinian monks. They came from the Abbaye de Chaage in Meaux. Raoul had a daughter named Eustachie. She married Guillaume Cornelio. He was the Lord of Compans. Together, they continued building the church.
In 1189, Bishop Simon Premier of Meaux blessed the church. A third canon arrived at that time. Gressy was part of old France. It was called Gressy-en-France. Saint-Denis-en-France had a similar name. These were villages within the royal domain.
The church in Gressy was struck by lightning in the 17th century. It was quickly rebuilt. Inside, you can find the tombstone of Pierre de Gressy. It is on the left as you enter. The Gothic writing suggests he was a crusader. He may have been a Templar returning from the Holy Land. The stone is fading with time.
The Fremont family from Normandy arrived in Gressy during the reign of Louis XIV. Robert de Fremont bought land in Gressy-en-France and Moulignon. He lived in the castle with his six children. Robert built a large house called Clairefontaine. The name Clairefontaine is still remembered by locals. He designed a park. He planted trees. He dug two canals. Some say they were inspired by Le Nôtre’s artistic techniques. Robert also built a large farm called the “Ferme du Château”. In 1992, it became a luxury hotel. This was done with the support of the Gressy municipality.
After 1750, the Count of Pons-Saint-Maurice owned the fief of Gressy. He was a patron of the arts. He protected Carmontelle. Carmontelle was a painter, engraver, playwright, and garden designer.
Pierre-Joseph Macquer was a famous chemist and botanist from Gressy. He was a professor. He worked with Lavoisier to develop the “verre ardent”. This was an early solar furnace. Macquer was passionate about science. He worked at the Sèvres factory. He tried to rediscover how to make hard porcelain. The Chinese closely guarded this secret. Macquer also studied silk dyeing. He did this for the Gobelins factory. He had a laboratory and botanical garden at Clairefontaine. He conducted his first experiments there. Scientists like Baumé, Cadet, Lavoisier and Tillet visited him. He conceived most of his scientific works and writings in Gressy. He stayed there half the year. Macquer died on February 15, 1784.
In August 1944, residents sheltered in hastily dug trenches. They awaited the Americans. The Americans built a pontoon bridge across the Canal de l’Ourcq. Gressy was freed on August 29, 1944. American troops captured fourteen German prisoners. The prisoners worked on farms. They replaced mobilized French workers.
Gressy is fortunate to be well-served. It is close to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. The Beuvronne River crosses Gressy. The Canal de l’Ourcq borders the village. These waterways enhance the environment. You can enjoy pleasant walks or bike rides.
Gressy truly seems to live up to its name. It is a pleasing place indeed. A place of grace.