Montesson is a city of Yvelines, in the region of Ile-de-France, about fifteen kilometers north-west of Paris.
The town has developed on the right bank of the Seine, in a loop that also encloses the localities of Chatou and Vésinet, facing Saint-Germain-en-Laye and its forest on the other side.
Seat of a lordship since the Middle Ages, the village was long inhabited by farmers and foresters "pioneers".
In the eighteenth century, the lord of Montesson, Portail, minister of Louis XVI, develops the culture of potatoes and the breeding of merino sheep. In the 19th century, sugar beets were grown there to feed a refinery that quickly went bankrupt. The vocation of the municipality is then refocused on market gardening to "feed" the capital. An activity that remains alive, even if today, 80% of the "active" inhabitants work outside the municipality.
During the second half of the twentieth century, the demography of Montesson is indeed booming with the development of residential subdivisions and building construction. The city now has a little over 15,000 inhabitants. But on the banks of the Seine, it has preserved a living environment and a high quality environmental heritage, part of which is included in a departmental Park for recreational and educational purposes because of its rich ecosystem.
In terms of built heritage, the city of Montesson has several sites of interest. This is the case of the Notre-Dame church, rebuilt in the 17th century on the foundations of a 12th century building. At the end of the 19th century, the facade was restored and at the beginning of the 21st century, the interior of the church was renovated, as well as a 17th century painting evoking the Annunciation.
Also noteworthy is the current Maison du Parc départemental, built in 1854, formerly a comfortable "country house", now dedicated to hosting exhibitions and educational workshops and in the heart of the city, the former Castle Sophoras in the park of the same name, built around 1860 by one of the founders of the agency Havas. Now communal property, it is dedicated to associations.
However, it is its natural environment that is the primary wealth of the city.
The most important site that testifies is the Departmental Park of the Loop Montesson. Located on the banks of the Seine, it includes a landscaped park of 2.2 hectares (planted with rare species), a house where are scheduled exhibitions, events and educational workshops intended especially for schoolchildren who discover the ecological interest of the site, which finally includes the pond of the Spinach and its surroundings, classified as protected natural area. This last group represents more than 16 hectares, including 5 for the body of water and includes an ornithological reserve and an observation area.
A playground has been set up in the park. Open all year. Free entry. Information on +33 1 39 07 81 18.
Another place for walking and leisure, in the city center, the park of Sophoras, which offers 4 hectares landscaped garden, ornamental pool, recreational and sports areas (skate park, tennis courts, chess game "giant ").
In addition, the city is dotted with a dozen squares and gardens of more modest dimensions.
Rest, as in the neighboring towns, still enjoy the old towpath on the Seine, designed for walkers, joggers and mountain bikers.
The city of Montesson can also be discovered via more than 12 km of bike paths, some of which use paths still used for agricultural purposes.
For hiking or biking departures or including Montesson, documentation and information +33 1 39 07 71 22. It is not advisable, however, to cross the lands always devolved to market gardening, except the tracks reported expressly.
For athletes, the town offers a wide range of disciplines.
To note the sailing circle which proposes on the Seine the learning or the practice of the sail in optimal conditions (except in winter season). Information on +33 1 39 13 45 57 or +33 1 39 97 90 65.
For tennis, join the local club at +33 1 30 53 24 11.
Finally, note that a sports course was built rue du 8 mai 1945.
The 3rd or 4th weekend of September, the local festival, known as "festival of the pâté à la Carmen" according to a tradition that dates back to the end of the nineteenth century includes fairground attractions, fireworks, dancing and parade of floats, especially.
As for the market gardening tradition of the city, it is perpetuated every Sunday morning during the weekly market. An opportunity to discover the riches of the Paris region.
