Fleury-Mérogis is a city of Essonne, in the Ile-de-France, 25 km south of Paris.
If the locality whose territory has an area of 6.5 km² is now famous for its prison known as one of the most important in Europe until the 1960s, it is only a rural village of a few hundred inhabitants.
Its name made its first lords, a certain Florus which succeeds Robert Floracius the twelfth century, and some time later, William Merogis, whose descendants own the land until the Revolution.
The implementation of the prison of 180 hectares and it opened in 1968 with a capacity of 3 to 4000 prisoners and urbanization of the city (social housing who will undergo rehabilitation at the turn 2000s) boost demographics Fleury-Mérogis (more than 10 000 today). However, two-thirds of the communal area still made of green spaces and wooded conducive to ride. A green lung near other urban and tourist centers that is accompanied by a cultural leisure offer of interest.
The historical heritage of the area includes two attractions.
The first is the Church of the Holy Redeemer, built in 1725 after the chapel of the old feudal castle was destroyed. In a neat but simple architecture (single nave, transept and apse in half dome, barrel vaults, but a surprise massive tower), the building was restored in 1982 and equipped with modern stained glass. However, the table of the altar of origin, the gate of the choir loft and pulpit were kept.
The second is also the castle built in 1725 to replace the old medieval stronghold. Its construction was decided by the widow of the owner of the land, the prosecutor Joly de Fleury, whose descendant, become count retain the property after the Revolution. Acquired by the family of explorer Ernest Grandidier the mid-nineteenth century, the castle neo-classical style then with a French garden. This beautiful area is then bought in 1888 by the deputy of the Pyrenees-Orientales Bartissol Edmond, also inventor of the famous aperitif: meet regularly once for receptions at Castle Fleury-Mérogis celebrities of politics, economics or press. The area is now a center for training and retraining for adults.
In terms of cultural activities, the city has with the André-Malraux room a place where shows are scheduled throughout the year concerts, plays, ballets quality. Information at +33 1 69 46 72 09.
Other equipment of interest, The Studio Eleven, which has a high-end equipment and experienced technicians for rehearsals, recordings and creations of musicians from all backgrounds. Information at +33 1 69 46 72 09.
For athletes, noted that a futsal club operates (contact September 6 43 20 82) and a mountain bike club that organizes frequent sallies (attach +33 6 89 63 18 55).
As for enthusiasts ride or hiking in the long term, they have on the territory of a potential expanded with the wood of Saint Eutrope, Lake Registrar, Marcille the park, wood and wood Holes of the Marquise. Much is identified in respect of sensitive natural areas. Maps and information +33 1 64 97 36 91 or +33 6 31 31 71 33.