Why is this street named after a river far away? Rue de l’Yerres. It’s a charming but perhaps misleading name. This street shares a name with the river Yerres. However, the river actually flows through the town of Yerres.
The town of Yerres is located about 20 kilometers southeast of Paris. It is known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes. The river Yerres itself is a significant geographical feature. It has shaped the area for centuries.
Let’s delve into the history of Yerres to understand the connection. The story of Yerres begins around 650. But it truly takes shape with the construction of the Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Yerres between 1120 and 1132. Benedictine abbesses administered the abbey until the Revolution. They greatly influenced the region.
In 1103 Guillaume de Hierra was the first known lord. The Budé family built the castle in the 15th century. Lords and abbesses often clashed. They argued over rights to mills and justice. These disputes led to endless trials. Over time both the Abbey and the castle were rebuilt several times.
The town’s name evolved. It was once called Hierra Erra and Irrya. The name Yerres became fully established in the 20th century. It may come from the Latin word hedera. Hedera means ivy a plant commonly seen today.
Yerres boasts a rich historical heritage. One highlight is the Maison Caillebotte. It marks an essential stop on the Impressionist trail in the Île-de-France region. Gustave Caillebotte and his family lived here between 1860 and 1879. The property reveals the painter’s life and his major source of inspiration.
The Maison Caillebotte is part of the Destination Impressionnisme network. It is one of Yerres’ most famous sites. Yerres is an exceptional place in the Île-de-France region just 20 km from Paris. In 2021 the French people voted Maison Caillebotte as their favorite monument in the Île-de-France region.
The Maison also called Casin is listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments. It gives unique insight into life during the Empire and Restoration periods in France. The Friends of the Caillebotte Property and the Mobilier National collections re-furnished it.
The grand 11-hectare park has remarkable trees. It encourages visitors to explore ornamental structures. This landscape inspired young Gustave Caillebotte and his 80 paintings. The park and its outbuildings are open for tours.
The Orangerie now hosts temporary exhibitions. The Ferme Ornée has become an art center. The Potager is cultivated by the volunteer association Potager Caillebotte. The Chalet Suisse houses the restaurant and tea room l’Orée du Parc. Other features include the Japanese Covered Bench and the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Lierre. The Kiosk and the Glacière are also notable.
The Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Yerres founded in 1132 marks a key moment in the history of the village. It depended on the Saint-Germain-des-Prés abbey. Significant remnants from the 16th century remain. The abbey is under the patronage of Saint Benedict a hermit born in Italy in 481.
Remarkable features of the Abbey include the oak frame in the dormitory building. Also see the refectory door dating back to the 16th century. In the 19th century the abbey became an important industrial site. It housed a wool spinning mill in 1839. Manufacturing continued until World War II.
From 1965 to 1967 G.E.E.P. Industries moved in. The design offices were located at the Abbey. The engineers’ offices were in the old mill. In 2009 the site was renovated. It now houses offices and apartments. The site is listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments since April 1 1996.
Although Rue de l’Yerres is in Mandres-les-Roses it carries the name of a place with a captivating history. It speaks of lords abbesses Impressionist painters and a river that has shaped a community. It reminds us that even seemingly distant names can hold rich stories.