Saint-Cyr-l'École

Saint-Cyr-l'École

Location (in red) within Paris inner and outer suburbs
Coordinates: 48°48′03″N 2°03′48″E / 48.8008°N 2.0633°ECoordinates: 48°48′03″N 2°03′48″E / 48.8008°N 2.0633°E
Country France
Region Île-de-France
Department Yvelines
Arrondissement Versailles
Canton Saint-Cyr-l'École
Intercommunality Grand Parc
Government
  Mayor (2009 - 2013) Bernard Debain
Area1 5.01 km2 (1.93 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 16,365
  Density 3,300/km2 (8,500/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 78545 / 78210
Elevation 99–174 m (325–571 ft)
(avg. 158 m or 518 ft)

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.

Saint-Cyr-l'École is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 21.4 km (13.3 mi) from the center of Paris.

It used to host the training school for officers of the French army, the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr (ESM), which was relocated to Coëtquidan in 1945. The old buildings of the ESM are now used by the lycée militaire de Saint-Cyr (military high school of Saint-Cyr).

Inhabitants are called Saint-Cyriens.

Geography

Saint-Cyr lies in the arrondissement of Versailles, west of the Park of Versailles.

History

King Louis XIV of France, at the request of Madame de Maintenon, founded Maison royale de Saint-Louis, an institute for poor young ladies.[1] It later became a military hospital. Napoleon I founded the military academy for infantry and cavalry officers in 1808.

The tomb of Madame de Maintenon lies in the Chapel.

Twin towns — sister cities

Transport

Stampe SV.4 training biplanes at the airfield in 1957

Saint-Cyr-l'École is served by Saint-Cyr station, which is an interchange station on Paris RER line C, on the Transilien La Défense suburban rail line, and on the Transilien Paris – Montparnasse suburban rail line.

Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole airfield is long established and lies on the edge of the commune. It is used by light aircraft flown by private pilot owners and by members of aero clubs. It is operated for public use by Aeroports de Paris.

See also

References

  1. Bryant 2004, p. 83.
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