Curious about where the name Sucy-en-Brie comes from? Let’s uncover the story of this town. Sucy-en-Brie is a town with a history stretching back to Roman times. The name “Sulcianum” marked its birth when Romans cleared forests.
The canons of Notre Dame de Paris shaped Sucy-en-Brie. They were the seigneurs from the seventh century until the Revolution. For almost 1000 years, Notre-Dame cathedral chapter in Paris was landlord and court lord in Sucy.
Imagine Sucy-en-Brie as an agricultural village until the late 19th century. A few Parisian families constructed chateaux there in the 17th century. They sought a bucolic escape just 22 km from Paris. Madame de Sévigné enjoyed a happy childhood in one of these chateaux.
The arrival of the railway in the 1870s transformed Sucy-en-Brie. A population boom occurred. A century later, it evolved into a suburb of Paris on the RER A train line.
The old village still exists. Narrow streets cluster around the 12th-century church. There is renewed appreciation for its historic value. Recent restoration and partial pedestrianisation show this.
Of the original six chateaux, four still stand. They now serve other purposes. Many green spaces have been preserved as public parks. The 19th-century fort on the edge of town is open to exploration.
Sucy-en-Brie faced hardship during the 100 Years War. People suffered from looting and famine. They sought permission from King Francois I to fortify their city. In 1544, the “Sucyciens” gained town and market rights. Today, a large fair in September remembers this event. The street “Rue des Remparts” marks the location of the former city wall.
The Parisian nobility built estates in Sucy-en-Brie during the 16th to 18th centuries. They wanted to escape city and court life. Four magnificent buildings still stand. They lend the cityscape a special shine. The city’s music school lives in the biggest castle. Montaleau Castle houses the district court. The city administration operates from Haute Maison Castle. A private church school occupies Petit-Val Castle.
Sucy-en-Brie is twinned with Bietigheim-Bissingen in Germany and Surrey Heath. Jean-Marie Poirier, mayor for 43 years, promoted this. The partnership with Bietigheim-Bissingen was officially sealed on June 6, 1967.
Today, Sucy-en-Brie thrives with cultural life. The Centre Culturel offers painting, languages and more within 400-year-old walls. A museum documents the town’s history. The Confrérie des Coteaux fraternity aims to revive Sucy’s abandoned vineyards.
Sucy-en-Brie offers attractions. The Saint-Martin church dates from the 12th century. Numerous castles dot the city. Parc de Sucy provides a spacious green area for walks. Fort de Sucy was built in the late 19th century.
Sucy-en-Brie has evolved. It has transformed from its agricultural roots to a vibrant city. Its history is rich with stories of seigneurs and Parisian nobility. The charm of Sucy-en-Brie lies in its blend of past and present.