The designation Ville d'art et d'histoire is a national label awarded by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication to cities and towns with a rich heritage which pursue an active policy to stimulate and develop their heritage and architecture and adopt measures to raise inhabitants' and visitors' awareness of their heritage. The following cities, towns and villages are labelled Cities of art and history in Essonne:

Étampes

The label Station classée is awarded to seaside, spa, health, tourist, winter sports and mountaineering resorts which pursue a policy of high-quality tourist facilities and activities. The following cities, towns and villages are labelled Listed resorts in Essonne:

Dourdan

Saclay

The label Villes et villages fleuris is awarded each year by the French National Council of Cities, Towns and Villages in Bloom following a competition which judges criteria such as landscaped and plant heritage, flowering, respect for the environment and the living environment. The following cities, towns and villages are labelled Towns and villages in Bloom in Essonne:

Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois -
Boutigny-sur-Essonne -
Chilly-Mazarin -
Corbeil-Essonnes -
Dourdan -
Étampes -
Évry -
Les Ulis -
Longjumeau -
Massy -
Ris-Orangis -
Savigny-sur-Orge -
Villebon-sur-Yvette -
Viry-Châtillon -
Arpajon -
Baulne -
Brétigny-sur-Orge -
Courcouronnes -
Épinay-sur-Orge -
Étréchy -
Le Coudray-Montceaux -
Ollainville -

Orsay -
Paray-Vieille-Poste -
Richarville -
Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon -
Villejust -
Wissous -
Yerres -
Boussy-Saint-Antoine -
Briis-sous-Forges -
Grigny -
Limours -
Linas -
Lisses -
Mauchamps -
Morangis -
Morigny-Champigny -
Palaiseau -
Saint-Michel-sur-Orge -
Soisy-sur-Seine -
Souzy-la-Briche -
Vert-le-Grand -