Contemplate this: Savigny-le-Temple. Once fields and forests now a vibrant town echoes with tales of Templars, royalty, and revolution. Savigny-le-Temple is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in France. It lies in the Île-de-France region.
Savigny-le-Temple sits 33.2 km from the heart of Paris. It is the largest commune within the “new town” of Sénart which was created in the 1970s. Savigny-le-Temple boasts a rich history. It stretches back centuries. It stands as a testament to time’s relentless march.
During the French Revolution Savigny-le-Temple underwent name changes. It was briefly known as Savigny-sur-Balory. This translates to “Savigny upon Balory”. Balory is a small local river. It was also temporarily named Savigny-le-Port. The renaming likely aimed to remove the religious connotation of “temple.”
Inhabitants of Savigny-le-Temple are called Savigniens. The population in 2022 was over 30000. The town’s story intertwines with royalty and nobility. In 1800 General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte and his wife Désirée Clary acquired land here. Napoleon Bonaparte desired his generals to own property within a day’s ride from Paris. Bernadotte later became the King of Sweden in 1818. Princess Victoria of Sweden commemorated this event in 2010.
Savigny-le-Temple’s history includes the Knights Templar. In 1149 King Louis VII gave Savigny-sur-Melun to the Templars. This was to honor their service in the Holy Land. The suffix “Le Temple” distinguishes it from other Savigny towns in France.
After the Templars’ arrest in 1307 the property went to the Knights Hospitaller. Later it went to the Knights of Malta. The town became public property during the Revolution.
Savigny-le-Temple is part of the Grand Paris Sud. This is a conurbation of 23 communes. It has a total of over 350000 residents.
Savigny-le-Temple has transformed from a small village to a modern town. Its motto reflects this evolution. It is “Grow but without losing its natural character”. Savigny-le-Temple has developed sports and cultural facilities. This ensures a vibrant community life. It also works to maintains green spaces. This shows a commitment to blending urban development with nature. The town strives to balance progress with preservation. It seeks to provide a high quality of life for its residents.
Savigny-le-Temple stands as a living testament to French history. It blends royal legacies with revolutionary fervor. Its story is etched in stone and whispered on the breeze.