Essonne is a department located in the
Île-de-France region of France and is named after the Essonne River. It was created on January 1, 1968, when Seine-et-Oise was divided into smaller departments. Essonne (department number 91) shares its borders with several other departments, including Hauts-de-Seine and Val-de-Marne to the north, Seine-et-Marne to the east, Loiret to the south, and Eure-et-Loir and Yvelines to the west. The department is divided into two distinct regions, the northern region and the southern region. The north area is highly urbanised and is part of the Parisian agglomeration. It is easily accessible by RER train or car, using the A6 motorway or the famous Route Nationale 7, which leads to
Porte d'Orléans and the
Périphérique ring road in Paris.
Notable Educational Institutions
Some of the most notable attractions in Essonne include
L'École Polytechnique, founded in 1794 and considered one of France's most prestigious engineering schools. The Arianespace Company's (CNES) headquarters is also located in Evry, the
préfecture city, now called Evry-Courcouronnes. This city has the only cathedral built in the 20th century in the entire country.
Architectural Wonders
As well as Evry's recent cathedral, the
Château de Montlhéry is another popular attraction in Essonne. It is a medieval castle situated on a hilltop overlooking the town of Montlhéry. Additionally, the Foret of Sénart, a forest covering an area of 3,500 hectares, is a natural gem essential to the local families and population. It is located in the southern region of Essonne, which remains rural and offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby busy cities.
Key Information about Essonne
- Main City/Prefecture: Évry-Courcouronnes
- Nearest Airport: Paris-Orly Airport
- Population: Around 1.3 million (as of the latest census)
- Area: 1,804 sq. kilometres and 696 sq. miles
- Landmark: Château de Courances, a stunning Renaissance castle with beautiful gardens.
- Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 1.5 million, drawn by its historical estates, green spaces and proximity to Paris.
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