Could this unassuming street in Rungis, named Rue d’Orly, whisper tales of a bustling airport, political shifts, and a landscape transformed? Today, we stand on Rue d’Orly. It is a quiet street in Rungis. But its name echoes far beyond this place.
Rue d’Orly gets its name from the nearby town of Orly. Orly is a French commune in the Val-de-Marne department. It is located south of Paris. A portion of Orly’s land is occupied by the Paris-Orly Airport.
Orly’s history is distinct from Paris. Orly belonged to Notre-Dame de Paris in the 13th century. During the Hundred Years War in 1360, the English stormed Orly. They killed many residents and 45% of the adult male population died.
The modern city developed in the late 19th century. It included a post office, telegraph, and schools. Public transport was organized. The first town hall was built.
Between 1910 and 1938, hundreds of homes were built. The population grew from 982 in 1896 to 4,000 in 1940. Many local politicians joined the Resistance during World War II. They faced repression and deportation.
Unplanned urbanization occurred in 1956. Around 24,000 new residents arrived. Wheat fields, medicinal plants, and vineyards made way for buildings.
The AS Orly is the local sports club. The Paris Football Club’s training facilities are in Orly. There are several religious sites. These include Saint-Germain Church and Muslim mosques.
The Saint-Germain Church dates back to the 11th or 12th century. It was damaged in 1360 and restored in the 19th century. The chateau Guerin belonged to Auguste Louis Guerin. He served as mayor of Orly in 1896.
Orly Airport opened in 1932. It served as a secondary airport to Le Bourget. The airport was known as Villeneuve-Orly Airport.
During World War II, the German Luftwaffe used Orly Airport. It was attacked by the Royal Air Force and USAAF. This caused significant damage.
After the war, the USAAF repaired Orly. They used it as a tactical airfield. The Americans left in 1967. This was due to France’s withdrawal from NATO’s military command.
In 2022, Paris Aéroports started a tree-planting project. It is near the airport. They planted 900 tree species and 14,000 seedlings. They expect to capture 329 tonnes of carbon per year.
Today, Paris-Orly Airport has several terminals. These include Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The airport connects to Paris via the RER line C. Metro Line 14 and Tramway T7 also provide access. A people mover, Orlyval, connects the terminals to Antony station.
Thus, Rue d’Orly serves as a quiet reminder. It connects us to Orly’s vibrant history. This includes its airport, urban development, and cultural landmarks.