Le Chesnay is a city of Yvelines, in region Île-de-France, 20 km west of Paris.
The commune is bordering the department of Hauts-de-Seine in the east and especially the city and the estate of the Palace of Versailles to the south, to which its history is closely linked.
A quarter of the territory of the town is still formed by the wood of Fonds-Maréchaux (mainly composed of oaks and chestnut trees).
The forest was even more preponderant when a first village was formed in the 12th century, depending on the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
But the parish is mishandled during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion.
Everything changes with the construction of the Palace of Versailles. The nobility of court settles in the nearby vicinity. And so the castle of Parc Aubert is erected, with a park. The ensemble evokes the style of Mansart and Le Nôtre.
The borough itself develops and the king even integrates Le Chesnay into his domain.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the village continued its expansion on the south of the territory, and economic activity was based on nurserymen and market gardeners whose productions supplied the capital. After the second war, the old village and the modern village meet with the demographic growth, and the city becomes residential and renowned thanks to the living environment that it proposes.
In the 1970s, a large pavilion (Parly 2) and a modernist shopping center were built. The population of the city is then doubled, and today has nearly 30,000 inhabitants.
Its historical heritage, its environment and its surroundings make it a popular stopover, just a stone's throw from Versailles...
The castle called Grand Chesnay and its 17th century park belonged for centuries to the Aubert family. The horseshoe-shaped building has been restored and is now destined to host receptions. The park, now known as Parc Aubert, part of which was bequeathed to build a hospital, remains open to the public. The ensemble is the jewel of the city's patrimonial heritage.
See also, the three mayors who have succeeded over the city development: the first built in 1834 was converted into an inn (up Dutartrel), the second street of Versailles was in 1877 to service 1980, and since then, A new town hall was established at the junction of the old village and Parly 2.
On the religious level, the church of Saint-Germain rebuilt in the 19th century replaced the previous chapels. Note that it is next to the cemetery in which was implemented a monument to the dead common with the neighboring city of Rocquencourt (formerly included in the same parish).
In the early twentieth century, was built the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, in reference to a chapel of the thirteenth. The church was built in neo-Gothic style, and we especially appreciated the beautiful millstones exterior walls, and the windows (restored) due to glassmakers Louis Lorin representing the life of St. Anthony. Information on +33 1 39 54 26 55.
Lastly, during the planning of the immense subdivision of Parly 2, the Church of Our Lady of the Resurrection was erected.
Other sites to be discovered, the Bellevue castle (20th century): this beautiful bourgeois house was renamed "Château de Bellevue" in honor of Queen Amelia of Portugal, who lived there in exile from 1921 to 1951. The weapons of the queen (Which proceeded to enlarge the building) were engraved on a gable of the west facade. Because of its size and its architecture combining different styles, the castle of Bellevue is worth a look. It now houses the Ile-de-France Chamber of Agriculture.
For visits to these different sites (some are only open during the Heritage Days, others are open all year round, such as Aubert Park), information on +33 1 39 07 71 22.
A stop in Chesnay can also be the opportunity to enjoy its cultural facilities. The city has two auditoriums (the Grande Scène and the Nouveau Théâtre de France). Information on +33 1 39 23 23 39.
You can also visit an artistic exhibition in the Maurice Cointe room, on the forecourt of the town hall. Information on +33 1 39 23 23 39.
For hiking (on foot, mountain biking or even on horseback) including some of these sites or including forest incursions, maps, brochures and information on +33 1 39 07 71 22.
For the sportsmen still, the swimming pool proposes in particular a basin of 50 m, a terrace equipped with deckchairs and playful equipment (toboggan). Admission: 4,10 and 6,10 euros. Information on +33 1 39 23 23 86.
For a game of tennis, contact the local club on +33 1 39 23 23 79 and for equestrian activities, join the equestrian center on +33 1 39 55 05 05.
In March, Le Chesnay is one of the host cities of the Yvelines Underwater Image Festival (amateur and professional films and photos).
End of May, on the Grande Scène, inter-school theater festival.
In mid-September, the festival of the Chênes Verts is the big annual meeting of the associations of the city. Forum, exhibitions, concert, torchlight retreat.
Finally, testimony of the market garden tradition of the city, the market is held rue des Deux Frères on Wednesday and Saturday morning.
