Located about fifty kilometers from Paris, the commune of Mantes-la-Ville takes place in the Yvelines, at the confluence of the Seine and the Vaucouleurs. It is a few kilometers from Porcheville, and about forty kilometers from Versailles and its famous castle.
Originally a rural village named Medenta Villa, the city of Mantes-la-Ville is officially founded in the 10th century. It was once known for its agricultural, milling and wine-growing activities, which supplied the Paris region, but also Normandy. At the end of its cultivation of vines, in the XIXth century, it turns completely to the market gardening and the breeding. Thanks to the arrival of the railway, at the same time, the municipality is developing greatly, thus becoming a high industrial site, notably in chemistry.
Today, Mantes-la-Ville takes advantage of its natural setting and economy, while preserving a charming architectural heritage.
Originally built in the 12th century, the present church of Saint-Etienne dates back to the 16th century. From the building of departure, one can nevertheless still admire the nave and some elements of the apse. It reveals a typical architecture of the region and the era, including a Romanesque cradle vault and the rib-vaulting of the choir that bears witness to the Gothic premises. Restored many times, the church is the oldest monument of Mantes-la-Ville.
The Church of the Sacred Heart takes place on the remains of an old chapel destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War. Built in the 1960s, it is built of local stone, concrete and glass.
Former hunting lodge of the castle of Villiers, the Alliers de Chavannes is a building built in the middle of the XIXe century. A very cozy town house, it is set in the middle of a large park. Today it serves partly from school to the commune.
For a walk in full nature, direction the quarries of Orgemonts, installed on the plateau of Soindres. There is a cliff of ten to fourteen meters high which was exploited until the 1940s.
The Parc de la Vallée, which is more than ten hectares in size, is crossed by the Vaucouleurs, and once housed the Château de Villiers. Only one tower remains, called the dovecot, and a part of the commons.
Do not miss to go through the graff park, the first official in France. Here, young artists can offer their works freely.
Markets are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The city also offers a lively Christmas market in December.
In May, the Tutti Festival puts music forward.
In June, Mantes-la-Ville hosts its annual fair.
The Contentpourien Festival is held in July and features music and street arts performances.
At the beginning of September, place for the festivals of districts and their animations.
Between October and November, the city organizes its exhibition of art of autumn with exhibitions.
