Journey with me to the charming commune of Mours. It’s nestled in the Val-d’Oise department, within the Île-de-France region of northern France. Mours rests in the valley of the Oise River. The village itself is built along the Ru de Presles, a short distance from where it flows into the Oise. Mours sits near the confluence of two significant waterways. The Oise River borders the commune to the north. The Ru de Presles flows through Mours before joining the Seine.
Mours boasts a history dating back to the Neolithic period. Archaeological discoveries reveal weapons, tools, Roman coins, and ceramics. Even a Gallo-Roman torso was found at the Mafa quarry. These artifacts whisper tales of ancient inhabitants and their lives along the river. The first written record of Mours appears in the 7th century, under the name Murnum. Charters from nearby Chambly mention the village. In the 9th century, monks from the Abbey of Saint-Denis established themselves at a place called Cella Beati Dyonis. This translates to Villa Saint-Denis.
By 832, Mours was known as La Celle-Saint-Denis, reflecting the monastic presence. It is believed that these Benedictine monks settled where the Ferme Saint-Denis, now the Maison des Associations, stands today. Given their expertise in water management, it’s possible these monks also developed the Ru du Roy. This stream, now called the Ru de Presles, powered the old mill. Mours remained closely tied to the Abbey of Saint-Denis for centuries. In the 13th century, Jean, Count of Beaumont, acknowledged Mours as belonging to the abbey. This was confirmed again in the 15th century by Charles de Valois, Duke of Valois and Beaumont.
In the 19th century, Madame Leemans played a pivotal role in Mours’ development. She funded the construction of the town hall and school, which now houses the library. She also owned Ferme Saint-Denis, built upon the foundations of the 9th-century Cella Beati Dyonis. This property, later bequeathed to the White Fathers, was repurchased by the commune in 2001 and transformed into the Maison des Associations. This community center provides space for local groups, including Point de Repère and the leisure center. Madame Leemans’ influence extended to the chapel, built based on plans drawn up by her son. This chapel, restored in 1992, has become a symbol of Mours, even gracing the village logo.
Mours transformed during the 20th century. In the early 1900s, the village bustled with activity. Farms, mills, a button factory, a laundry, and various shops provided livelihoods for the residents. The Poliet cement factory, established around the same time, employed generations of Mours’ inhabitants. The construction of the Nointel train station in 1890 further connected Mours to the surrounding region.
Mours has evolved from a rural village to a residential commune. Yet, it retains a strong sense of history. The buildings of the three old mills along the Ru de Presles still stand, testaments to a bygone era. From its Neolithic origins to its modern-day charm, Mours offers a captivating glimpse into French history and the enduring spirit of a small community.