On the right bank of the Seine, in a geographic region commonly known as Brie Champenoise Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil is located on the edge of the plateau and the valley of the Seine.
Name: The Abbot Lebeuf, author of "History of the City and the Diocese of Paris" written in the years 1883/1893, that the village existed from the 6th century. In 800, it was called "Corboilus or Corboilum" which became "Corboïlo veter" (Old Corboilus) when a "new" Corbeil (Corboïlum junius) was built on the other side of the Seine. Later, the village took the name of "Sanctus Germanus Veteres Corbolu", in reference to Saint-Germain (494-576), bishop of Paris, who own land. The usual form of Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil result of changes in Saint-Germain-le-Vieil-Corbeil, Saint-Germain-le-Vieux-Corbeil, and most recently, Saint-Germain-les-Corbeil.
The Castle: The castle first known date of 1312, and was built by Geoffrey Merrick, rich and important citizen of Paris, butler of the king Philip the Fair. The castle suffered over the decades, many repairs and alterations until its destruction in 1590. Indeed, during the Wars of Religion, during the siege of Corbeil, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, took the castle and by withdrawing the burn ... It was rebuilt in 1620 by Nicolas Thibeuf, new lord of Val-Merrick. His son and grand-son to keep it. During the 18th century it became property of the family Brétignières. In the 19th century, the estate was bought by Ayme-Stanislas Darblay, industrialist and member of Corbeil. In 1846, the new owner built the present castle, which remained in the family today.
The Church: The church is the main rich heritage of the town. In the 6th century, St. Germain, bishop of Paris, built a house of worship, now defunct, dedicated to St. Vincent, martyr Spanish. In the 12th century, the present church was built in a style transitional late Romanesque / early Gothic. It is called Saint Germain - Saint Vincent. Its imposing bell tower 60 feet high collapsed in 1793 in 1835, a small bell tower is installed on the gable of the facade. The church was completely restored in the late 19th century by the family Darblay. In particular, the facade, above the portal of the 12th century, decorated with statues modeled by Robert Elias and crowned by the tower today, is almost completely rebuilt. All the windows of the 13th century the central apse is the treasure of the church. These windows are classified historical monument since 1908. The largest stained glass, the center represents the main episodes of the Passion of Christ, the canopy on the left shows the Tree of Jesse (genealogy of Christ), the right is on the life of Saint-Germain. At the top, the rose is the Paschal Lamb medallions surrounded by six dedicated to various saints martyrs. Tombstones, identified and sealed on the walls of the aisles, forming a series of great historical interest since they concern the old notables and priests of the parish.
