Seventeen centuries of welcoming inhabitants. That is Vémars for you. It is nestled in the heart of the Plaine de France. Approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Paris. Just six kilometers from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Vémars has ancient roots.
Imagine Vémars long ago. Picture the fertile lands. Visualize early settlers choosing this spot. They sought shelter from cold winds. They wanted access to the stream. Vémars became their haven.
The Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul church stands as a testament. It is the geographic religious heart of Vémars. The beautiful Ferme de Choisy aux Boeufs lies to the south. Once a Cistercian domain of Chaalis. The fief of Carnaux was a major landowner since the 13th century.
Vémars endured many trials. The Jacquerie. The Hundred Years War. The League. The Fronde. These events shaped the Vémars people. They voiced grievances. This led to the French Revolution.
Life in Vémars centered on the land. People worked hard. They cultivated gardens and raised animals. This simple life brought happiness. Sundays meant rest. Villagers gathered to play cards. They enjoyed games and waited for the feast of Saint-Pierre.
Under the Ancien Régime villagers listened to decisions. The local leaders managed the town. They faced many problems. These were communication education and sanitation. The village lacked resources.
Vémars experienced the wars of 1870 1914 and 1939. The population grew. This was due to partial urbanization.
The A1 highway and TGV Nord train lines impacted Vémars. They brought both nuisances and advantages. Charles de Gaulle Airport created jobs. Yet resources remained scarce.
For centuries Vémars has been a pleasant place to live. Beautiful residences dot the landscape. The Domaine de la Motte became the town’s administrative center. It belonged to the Bouchard family. Later it belonged to Madame François Mauriac.
François Mauriac a Nobel laureate rests in Vémars cemetery. A small museum honors his connection to Vémars. It displays his office library and original documents. This museum preserves his memory. It recalls important moments in Vémars history.
The name Vémars evolved through time. It was Vetere Manso in 937. It became Vemarcium then Avemars. The name comes from Latin. Vetus means old. Mansum means rural domain. Vémars means old dwelling.
Today Vémars continues to evolve. It balances progress with its rich heritage. The town preserves its unique charm. It remains a welcoming place. Vémars blends history nature and community.