Melun installed in a bend of the Seine, is since 1800, city prefecture of the department of Seine-et-Marne. Located fifty kilometers southeast of Paris, it now has more than 40,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan Melun-Val-de-Seine (over 100,000 inhabitants).
It has hosted many illustrious figures like Peter Abelard, Etienne Chevalier, Jacques Amyot, Louis Pasteur, Paul Cézanne, marking the artistic, cultural and economic life of the entire region.
Melun is mentioned for the first time in 52 BC The Roman conquest brought the city in history under the name of Metlosedum, "the seat of the reaper."
In the 10th century, with the advent of the Capetians, Melun gets the royal favor: a royal castle is developed at the tip of the island, the court regularly stays in the city, the Notre Dame was founded by King Robert the Pious ... Melun supplied the capital flour, processed on site and transported by the Seine.
Renaissance contribute to the architectural development of the city. The civil and religious heritage is embellished, evidenced St. Aspais church, a masterpiece of late Gothic.
This period also marked the phasing out of the castle by the kings of France who prefer the field of Fontainebleau. In the 18th century, the former fortifications were gradually dismantled to make way for boulevards. Important barracks testify until the 19th century a related to the strategic position of the city compared to Paris military presence.
In the 19th century, Melun industrializing. The railway arrived in 1849 and offers a new breath of urbanization. The city is experiencing a real development through industrialization oriented pharmacy (Cooper and Vernin laboratories) and food (Brasserie Gruber).
In 1945, the School Officers of the National Gendarmerie (EOGN - 4th Military School France) moved to Melun, continuing military presence in the city.
Melun is now a university town hosting a nursing school, and the IUFMs Faculty of Law and Economics.
Currency Melun "True to its walls to eat rats" speaks volumes about the loyalty and courage of Melunais through the centuries.
The city now offers a green heart at the door of the famous forest of Fontainebleau, with walks along the banks and a river port. Human-sized city just thirty minutes from Paris, Melun is embellished with lively shopping streets and a market rich in quality regional products including Brie Melun (Protected Designation of Origin).
- Melun, a city of history ... At 40 km southeast of Paris, Melun, city prefecture of Seine-et-Marne since 1800, is now developing his story and highlights the evidence of its illustrious past.
- Established at the crossroads of trade routes during the Roman era, the city of Melun was developed around the island in a bend of the Seine. However, the real growth of the city began in the late 10th century royal city, it regularly hosts the kings of France until the mid 15th century, the castle has now disappeared. Two exceptional testimonies of the 11th century are still preserved in Melun: the Notre-Dame de Melun and the priory of Saint-Sauveur.
- From the 16th century, the kings are moving away may just Melun while the role of economic and administrative town is growing. This time remain the Church of St. Aspais, original stained glass windows and the hotel today Vicomté city museum.
- Today, Melun highlights its gastronomic heritage through a cheese emblematic of the region: Brie de Melun. Now with a river stop, plus a port for passenger ships, Melun is also a step River between Paris and Burgundy.
- Guided tours of the city conducted by the Office of Tourism, in season from April to October. Different themes are offered: The Church of St. Aspais - Melun, in the footsteps of the medieval city - Panorama Melun - Caves de Melun - Through the Faubourg Saint Ambrose - Following the fortifications of the Faubourg Saint-Aspais - The Collegiate Notre Dame de Melun. Information and reservations at the Tourist Office on +33 1 64 52 64 52.
- Boat Cruises over the Seine, Melun to Samois ... Possibility of lunch and snack. Information for the Tourist Office on +33 1 64 52 64 52.
- Ceramics on the Seine: the weekend of Heritage Days. For centuries, potters wielding earth and fire, are constantly reinventing the techniques of ceramic art. At Melun, for over 15 years now, we celebrate the "art of fire" to the arrival of autumn. On the agenda: an exhibition at the Espace Saint-Jean and a market along the Seine. The unique pieces of fifty potters in France and Europe, taking place on the river port, to the Astrolabe library. For more information, contact the Espace Saint-Jean +33 1 64 52 10 95.
- Melun celebrates Brie early October. Melun celebrates its flagship gourmet product: Brie de Melun (PDO since 1980). On the occasion of the annual festival of Brie, the Brotherhood of the Knights of Brie de Melun is home to many fraternities came from all over France valuing each of their products, some are sold on the market. The program of the day: number of events in the city center, Brie and competition for the best of the best refiner, brotherhoods parade and lunch restaurants in the city involved a menu of Brie de Melun (reservations) . Information Tourist Office of Melun: Tel. : +33 1 64 52 64 52 - Email: @ city office.tourisme melun.fr
"Melun, city of history" is a 29-step pedestrian walkway made up of enamelled lava plates, placed on the façades of the buildings or inserted into desks. A leaflet published in French and English will guide you through the city in order to make you discover, with complete freedom, its history and its monuments. On sale at the Tourist Office.
Saint-Aspais church, Notre-Dame collegiate church, Saint-Sauveur priory, Saint-Jean square and fountain, Hôtel-Ville des Cens, the rampart of the Late Empire, Héloïse and Abélard, Bridge at the Moulins, the Récollets, the oven of the merry-go-round, the abbey of Saint-Père, the Hôtel de la Vicomté, the birthplace of Jacques Amyot... here are some of the 29 stages of the historical journey Monuments and historical sites of the city.
Among the ideas of excursions: guided tours, cruises on the Seine, tastings of local products, markets and shopping streets, Brie festival...
Guided tours of the city are offered from April to October on different themes. Registration and information at the Tourist Office of Melun: Tel. : +33 1 64 52 64 52 - Email: office.tourisme@ville-melun.fr
