The church bells of Saint-Pierre-du-Perray a faint echo across the Seine. They are silent now. But they once rang out joyfully across the valley.
Welcome to Saint-Pierre-du-Perray. This unassuming town in Essonne has a rich history stretching back to prehistoric times. Archaeological digs reveal evidence of human settlement here dating back to the Magdalenian period some 10000 years ago. Imagine hunters along the Seine. Later Neolithic farmers tilled the land.
Saint-Pierre-du-Perray’s name itself hints at its age. The ‘Perray’ part originates from the Old French word ‘perrois’ meaning a stony or gravelly terrain. The ‘Saint-Pierre’ refers to the original church dedicated to Saint Peter a building sadly demolished in 1819. One of its bells though still chimes. You can hear it in the nearby Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil church.
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem once owned property here. It was a large estate. It consisted of a house surrounded by 70 acres of land. The property changed hands several times over the centuries. Eventually it was owned by the Order. A fire destroyed the original house. The prior then gave it to a man named Jean Pymart.
For centuries Saint-Pierre-du-Perray remained a small village. Its population was mainly shepherds farmers vintners and fishermen. Their lives are documented in parish records and community meeting minutes.
The arrival of industry in nearby Corbeil-Essonnes spurred growth. By the 1970s Saint-Pierre-du-Perray’s population had reached 600. Urban development along the river continued into the 1980s and 90s. Saint-Pierre-du-Perray’s location within the Sénart new town led to further expansion. Today it is a vibrant town boasting a population exceeding 12000. The town is home to REOSC a world leader in high-tech optics. They polish the largest telescope mirrors ever made.
In the heart of Saint-Pierre-du-Perray stands a testament to its recent resurgence. A new church was constructed in 2015. This was the first church built in Essonne in the 21st century. It stands as a symbol of faith and a modern community.
So here you stand at the heart of Saint-Pierre-du-Perray a place where history whispers its secrets amongst the bustling streets and where the future is brightly shining. A town of contrasts. A town of ancient roots and modern progress.