Might a path, now known as Route du Camp de Saint-Maur, once echoed with the footsteps of royalty and monks? This route’s story is intertwined with the history of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés.
Let’s step back to the 7th century. Queen Nanthild established an abbey in 638. It was located at a place then called Fossati. The river Marne looped around a rocky outcrop here. “Fossati” meant “the moats”. Perhaps it referred to the moats of an ancient Celtic settlement or Roman camp. This abbey was initially dedicated to Saint Peter. It was also dedicated to Saint Paul and the Virgin Mary.
Centuries later, in 868, Viking invasions threatened another abbey. The Abbey of Saint-Maur de Glanfeuil faced ruin. King Charles the Bald invited its monks to relocate. They brought their relics of Saint Maurus to Saint Pierre des Fossés. These relics became famous for healing gout and epilepsy. This made Saint Pierre des Fossés a pilgrimage site in medieval France. The abbey was renamed Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. This meant “Saint Maurus of the Moats”. Legend says that prayers to Saint Maur ended a drought in 1137. Prayers to the Virgin and other saints had failed.
The abbey’s influence grew. A settlement developed around it. This settlement became known as Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. By the 13th century, it had a thriving market.
The abbey was secularized in 1535. Later, a château was built on the site for Cardinal Jean du Bellay. Philibert Delorme designed it. Catherine de Medici often visited the château. She preferred it to the château de Vincennes. She acquired it in 1563. She then rebuilt it significantly. King Charles IX issued the Edict of Saint-Maur here in 1568. This edict outlawed all religions except Catholicism. This led to religious intolerance in Paris. It ultimately contributed to the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in 1572.
The Château de Saint-Maur remained in the Condé family for some time. During the French Revolution, it was nationalized. It was emptied and the land was divided. The château was demolished for its materials. Today, almost nothing remains.
During the French Revolution, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés was temporarily renamed Vivant-sur-Marne. This meant “Alive upon Marne.” It was a rejection of religion. The name “des-Fossés” was officially added back in 1897. This distinguished it from other places called Saint-Maur.
Today, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés is a vibrant commune. It has a rich history, from its abbey origins to its role in French history. The Route du Camp de Saint-Maur is a reminder of this past. It connects us to the stories of monks, royalty, and revolution.