Étréchy is a town in Essonne, in the Île-de-France region, 7 km north-east of Etampes and 42 km south-west of Paris.
Its 14 km² territory is crossed by the course of the Juine, a tributary of the Essonne, and the stream of the Corps Saints, whose source reappears at the level of the wash house.
With more than 75% of its area covered by agricultural, forest and natural areas, Étréchy has green landscapes. With some 6,600 inhabitants, it is a veritable small town in the countryside which developed and became urbanized with the arrival of the railway in the middle of the 19th century.
Until then, the locality remained for a long time a village renowned for its vines, the cultivation of which had been initiated by Benedictine monks who settled in the 11th century.
Then, located on the axis linking Paris to Toulouse, Étréchy also had a craft activity.
Nowadays, the leisure offer and the bucolic environment of the town make it a notable point of interest in the region.
The parish church of Saint-Etienne, listed in the Inventory, can be the starting point for a walk in the form of discovery of the local heritage. Gothic in style, it dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, built on the foundations of a Romanesque chapel which serves as a crypt. Its unity of style is remarkable. Inside, its capitals sculpted with 13th century plant motifs, funerary slabs, the 18th century marble baptismal font and the confessional from the Louis XV period are beautifully crafted. Recently restored, the church finally benefits from a generous luminosity due to its very colorful 19th century stained glass windows.
On the religious level, are to be seen the Calvary of the butte Saint-Martin erected after the Second World War by a family of the commune, 8 m high and now highlighted in its wooded setting, as well as the replica of the cave of Lourdes also fitted out after the Second World War by the parish priest "in gratitude to Sainte-Bernadette" for having spared the city from the bombardments… The site has been illuminated.
In another area, mention should be made of the 1792 aqueduct, protected as a historical monument.
In addition, several sites bear witness to the agricultural prosperity of yesteryear. Such as the gate of the Touchet farm (13th century), the gate of the Roussay farm (15th century), an outbuilding of a castle from the same period that succeeded a feudal building of which there are remains of walls, cellars and moats, or the Vintué farm, long renowned for its cultivation of medicinal plants.
The old manor house in the hamlet of Vaucelas and its watchtower, Pierre Brou's mill on the Cours de Juine, whose origins date back to the 17th century, the communal wash house inaugurated in 1814 or the pretty kiosk rebuilt in 1998 identical (the first dating from 1912) symbolizing the rise of a petty bourgeoisie eager for leisure at the beginning of the 20th century, still punctuate this route.
Finally, the recently restored 19th century fire brigade can conclude this overview.
On the cultural side, several structures reflect the vitality of the small town. This is the case of the Jean Cocteau cultural center which hosts shows and exhibitions throughout the year and has an auditorium: information on +33 1 69 27 75 53.
The Espace Jean Monnet for its part has a 600-seat hall dedicated to large-scale concerts and shows. Information on +33 1 60 80 67 08. Finally, activities (meetings, readings) are offered at the municipal library: contact on +33 1 64 91 26 84.
In terms of "nature" sports and leisure, in addition to games (Parc de l'Europe, Villa Schuman), a skate park, a city stadium and the Vrigneaux fitness trail are freely accessible. As for the Koffi Carenton sports complex, it has stabilized grounds and tennis courts (to book on +33 6 07 06 30 36).
All that remains is to take advantage of the natural and environmental heritage of the territory: the opportunity to admire the last acres of vines rehabilitated in 2004 and which testify to the secular vocation initiated by the monks in the 11th century (on the Croix Boissée site), but also the banks of the Juine and the forest of Étréchy which are also protected as sensitive areas or the sand quarry of Bois Ferrand... Historic stage of the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques, the town therefore has paths and routes many hikes. Without forgetting the possibility of reaching Etampes. Maps and information on +33 1 60 80 33 77 or +33 1 64 94 99 10. It is also possible to join the outings of the local club: contact on +33 1 60 80 26 38.
