Maisse is a commune in the Essonne department, in the Île-de-France region, 16 km south-east of Etampes.
Part of the former county of Gâtinais (which has become a natural region nicknamed the "land of a thousand clearings and sandstone"), its 21 km² territory has remained largely rural: crops, meadows and forests cover 91% of its area.
Maisse is crossed by the course of the Essonne which is divided into two arms bordered by wooded hillsides, the bottom of the valley dotted with marshes and wetlands with a rich biodiversity.
A prosperous lordship with two parishes in the Middle Ages, Maisse was then surrounded by ramparts. Then the village develops and agricultural fairs are hosted there twice a year.
Monks started by setting up mills on the river in the 19th century, the sandstone quarries were exploited then the washhouses brought hygiene to the city and dairies and sugar factories boosted the local economy.
With the arrival of the railway (the town is still connected to the RER network), Maisse becomes a real small town in the countryside. Today there are nearly 2800 inhabitants. The leisure offer and the preserved environment of the locality are to be taken into account during a stay in the region.
In terms of heritage, a discovery trail of the town includes several sites protected as historical monuments. This is the case of a cave decorated with prehistoric engravings, at a place called Tramerolles and the Saint-Médard church, built from the 12th century on Romanesque foundations. It was remodeled in the 15th century. We now observe the luminosity of its interior (nave) and its Gothic decorations, the ribbed vaults and the Corinthian capitals. In addition to baptismal fonts from the 16th century and a beautiful stained glass window from 1882 which represents Saint-Louis rendering justice under an oak tree, the epitaph houses two classified elements: the epitaph from a tombstone (16th century) and above all a bas-relief evoking the entombment of Christ, located above the tympanum of the portal.
Finally, in the cemetery, a cross is also listed in the Inventory.
The preserved dovecote of the old seigniorial castle (of which only vestiges remain), and rare elements of an old Roman road can still mark out this route.
In terms of culture, shows and events are regularly scheduled at the Robert Dumas center which also houses the municipal library: contact +33 1 64 99 47 26.
For athletes, a number of facilities are available at the Roches (adjoined by a playground) and at the Tramerolles sports complex, football pitches and tennis courts are available to visitors and holidaymakers. Inquire on +33 1 64 99 47 26.
It is possible to take advantage of the bucolic charm of the banks of the Essonne: a new park has just been laid out there, ideal for walking and observing the environment. preserved and protected for its richness in terms of fauna and flora.
Fishing enthusiasts are also at the party: however, it is advisable to respect the regulations and find out about suitable sites from the local association. Contact +33 1 64 99 49 88.
The river pony club is located in this landscape: information on +33 1 64 99 35 11.
The banks of the river, the wooded areas and the paths along the cultures are obviously suitable for hiking, on the territory as in the neighboring municipalities. Two major routes cross the locality of Maisse: the GR du pays du Hurepoix which connects the valleys of the Bièvre and the Essonne and the GR1 which goes around Paris. Other more modest trails are available: maps and information on +33 1 64 94 99 10.
Note again for amateurs that it is possible to join the outings of the local Team VTT club: contact +33 6 10 33 68 50.
Finally, Maisse being part of the perimeter concerned, it is always useful to find out about the activities (thematic hikes, exhibitions, workshops, etc.) organized by the French Gâtinais Regional Natural Park: contact +33 1 64 98 73 93.
Every Wednesday morning, the market honors the terroir of the region.
The last weekend of March or the first of April, carnival.
The first Sunday of June, traditional Patouillat festival with fun activities.
July 13 in the evening, on the occasion of the national holiday, torchlight procession, fireworks and ball.
The second weekend of November, Sainte-Catherine fair with, in particular, a craft exhibition and a farmers' market.
