“Versailles-Sud”. Does the name ring a bell? Versailles-Sud was once a French canton. It resided in the Yvelines department, within the Île-de-France region.
Versailles-Sud included a portion of Versailles. It also encompassed Buc, Jouy-en-Josas, Les Loges-en-Josas and Vélizy-Villacoublay. Until March 2015, Versailles-Sud comprised six communes.
Let’s journey back to the 19th century. Louis Haussmann held the position of General Councillor. He was also the mayor of Versailles from 1831 to 1836. Alexandre Demay, a former notary, followed him. Demay served as deputy mayor of Versailles.
André Jean Vauchelle, a military intendant, took office next. He had previously been the mayor of Versailles between 1849 and 1851. Ovide de Rémilly then stepped into the role. He was a lawyer and also the mayor of Versailles.
Jean-François Tricot-Grosjean followed de Rémilly. He was a lawyer and property owner. Louis René Barbu, an advocate, succeeded him. Hippolyte Philémon Deroisin then took over. He was a magistrate and mayor of Versailles.
Pierre Théodore Henri Rudelle then served as General Councillor. Alphonse Chrétien succeeded Rudelle. Jean Périnard followed Chrétien. Maurice Baillet then held the office.
Marcel Denis then took over. Robert Gravaud was elected after the Second World War. René Richard then assumed the role. Jacques Meissonnier then stepped into the position.
Jacques Toutain held the office after Meissonnier. André Damien followed Toutain. Monique Le Saint then took over. Marie-Hélène Aubert was the last to hold this office.
The population of Versailles-Sud saw changes over the years. In 1990, it stood at 42,063. By 1999, it had increased slightly to 42,237. The population continued to grow. It reached 43,197 in 2006. In 2011, the count was 43,204. The final recorded population in 2012 was 43,326.
The canton of Versailles-Sud no longer exists after March 2015. Its legacy remains in the history of the Yvelines department. Its story is woven into the fabric of French local governance.