Montfort-l'Amaury
| Montfort-l'Amaury | ||
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  Montfort-l'Amaury | ||
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Location within Île-de-France region  Montfort-l'Amaury | ||
| Coordinates: 48°46′40″N 1°48′36″E / 48.7778°N 1.81°ECoordinates: 48°46′40″N 1°48′36″E / 48.7778°N 1.81°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Île-de-France | |
| Department | Yvelines | |
| Arrondissement | Rambouillet | |
| Canton | Montfort-l'Amaury | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–14) | Hervé Planchenault | |
| Area | ||
| • Land1 | 5.71 km2 (2.20 sq mi) | |
| Population (2006) | ||
| • Population2 | 33,135 | |
| • Population2 Density | 5,800/km2 (15,000/sq mi) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 78420 / 78490 | |
| Elevation | 98–183 m (322–600 ft) | |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: 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 Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris 20 km (12 mi) north of Rambouillet. The name comes from Amaury I de Montfort, the first count of Montfort.
Geography
Montfort-l'Amaury lies north of the Rambouillet Forest. It is located at the foot of low hills, at about 130 m above sea level.
History
King Robert II built a castle in 996 in the hills of Montfort. Montfort-l'Amaury was the stronghold of the Montfort family from the start of the 11th 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. It returned to the crown of France when Brittany became a part of France under Francis I. The castle was destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years' War.
Sites of interest
- Ruins of the castle 48°46′36″N 1°48′16″E / 48.77667°N 1.80444°E
- Maison de Maurice Ravel, which is now a museum . Maurice Ravel lived here from 1921 until his death.
- Château de Groussay, built in the 19th century
People
- Jean Anouilh, dramatist
- Colette Darfeuil, actress
- Henri George Doll, scientist
- Jean Monnet, architect of European Unity
- Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester (born in the castle, 1208)
- Maurice Ravel, composer
Twin towns
- Nickenich, Germany
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montfort-l'Amaury. |
- Official website
- Pictures of Castle Montfort l'Amaury
- Photos by Amaury Laporte, free to use for non commercial purposes
- Information about Montfort l'Amaury
