Montfort-l'Amaury
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Commune of Montfort-l'Amaury |
|
Location | |
Administration | |
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Country | France |
Region | Île-de-France |
Department | Yvelines |
Arrondissement | Rambouillet |
Canton | Montfort-l'Amaury (Chief town) |
Intercommunality | none as of 2007 |
Mayor | Hervé Planchenault (2008-2014) |
Statistics | |
Elevation | 98 m–183 m |
Land area¹ | 5.71 km² |
Population² (1999) |
3,137 |
- Density | 549.4/km² |
Miscellaneous | |
INSEE/Postal code | 78420/ 78490 |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Montfort-l'Amaury is a commune in the Yvelines department in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 20 km N of Rambouillet.
The name originates from Amaury I de Montfort, the first dynasty of the Comtes de Montfort.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The commune has slopes in the north which includes the Rambouillet Forest which covers 220 km². The city is located on a rocky area of 183 m above sea level.
[edit] History
King Robert II built a castle in 996 in the hills of Montfort. The castle was destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years' War. Montfort-l'Amaury was the stronghold of the Montfort family from the start of the 9th century. Amaury I built the ramparts.
The Comté de Montfort was related to the Duchy of Brittany following the marriage of Yolande de Dreux-Montfort with Arthur of Brittany in 1294. The crown returned to France when Brittany became a part of France under Francis I.
[edit] Sites of interest
- Ruins of the castle
- Maison de Maurice Ravel, which is now a museum. 20th century. Maurice Ravel lived here since 1920.
- Chateau de Groussay, built in the 19th century
[edit] Famous people who lived or died at Montfort-l'Amaury
- Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester - born in the castle, 1208
[edit] Twinnings
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Pictures of Castle Montfort l'Amaury
- Photos of Monfort l'Amaury (the town and its towers)
- Informations about Montfort l'Amaury
North: Méré | ||
West: Gosrouvre | Montfort-l'Amaury (commune) | East: Bazoches-sur-Guyonnne |
South: Mesnuls and Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines |