La Ville-du-Bois

Did the scent of freshly baked bread ever lead you to uncover a hidden gem? In La Ville-du-Bois, it very well might have. La Ville-du-Bois, originally a small hamlet, traces its roots back to the 10th or 11th century. Imagine two ancient Gaulish roads intersecting, one connecting Villejust to Montlhéry and the other linking Marcoussis to Ballainvilliers. Right here, where those paths met, La Ville-du-Bois began to flourish, nourished by natural springs and its proximity to the royal road from Lutèce to Orléans. Early homes, built of timber and thatch, gradually gave way to stone structures with tiled roofs, small windows, and sandstone arched doorways. People huddled together in shared courtyards, seeking protection from the elements, predators, and pillagers. Later, upper rooms were added, accessed by external stone staircases. La Ville-du-Bois wasn’t just a place to live; it was a self-sufficient community. The villagers of La Ville-du-Bois cultivated their own vegetables, hemp, and flax. They baked bread in individual ovens, some of which have been rediscovered during recent renovations. They crafted ropes and wove cloth for their clothing. The cultivation of vines, which covered a large portion of La Ville-du-Bois’s arable land, elevated the villagers to the esteemed status of winegrowers. Almost every home boasted vaulted wine cellars. In 1467, La Ville-du-Bois had a population of 140, while nearby Nozay had 75. Until the French Revolution, the two hamlets were collectively known as Nozay-La Ville du Bois, with La Ville-du-Bois serving as a parish annexed to Nozay, within the diocese of Paris. A cemetery was established in the early 16th century where the current town hall now stands. It was consecrated in 1503 by Pierre, Bishop of Romanensis. In 1511, construction began on a small chapel dedicated to Saint Fiacre. To accommodate the growing population, the chapel underwent five expansions over two centuries, the last one towards the south in 1736. Under the old regime, the church was the central gathering place for decisions and information. The “Conseil de Fabrique,” which convened there, functioned as the administrative body, a role now fulfilled by the municipal council. From rural hamlet to bustling town, La Ville-du-Bois continued to evolve. The 19th century brought the demolition of the Plessis Saint-Pierre castle, leaving behind the well-preserved Croix Saint Jacques farm and its agricultural operations. By 1854, farming ceased, and the estate was divided and sold at auction in 1894. La Ville-du-Bois embraced market gardening towards the end of the 19th century, as vineyards succumbed to mildew. This new prosperity drew a steady influx of people, boosting the population to 1,080 by 1896. At the dawn of the 20th century, 90% of La Ville-du-Bois’s inhabitants derived their livelihood from the land, primarily as market gardeners, with some also trading in cheese. The “Arpajonnais” railway, connecting Paris and Arpajon, facilitated the transport of market produce and passengers from 1894 to 1936. This railway line played a key role in the urbanization of La Ville-du-Bois, transforming it from a rural village into a suburb of Paris. Today, La Ville-du-Bois stands as a testament to its rich history, a vibrant blend of past and present.