- Montfort-l'Amaury
-
Montfort-l'Amaury
Town hall 
Montfort-l'AmauryLocation within Île-de-France region
Montfort-l'AmauryAdministration Country France Region Île-de-France Department Yvelines Arrondissement Rambouillet Canton Montfort-l'Amaury Mayor Hervé Planchenault
(2008–14)Statistics Elevation 98–183 m (322–600 ft) Land area1 5.71 km2 (2.20 sq mi) Population2 33,135 (2006) - Density 5,803 /km2 (15,030 /sq mi) INSEE/Postal code 78420/ 78490 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. Coordinates: 48°46′40″N 1°48′36″E / 48.777778°N 1.81°E
Montfort-l'Amaury is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris 20 km (12 mi) N of Rambouillet.
The name originates from Amaury I de Montfort, the first dynasty of the Comtes de Montfort.
Contents
Geography
The commune has slopes in the north which includes the Rambouillet Forest which covers 220 km2 (85 sq mi). The city is located on a rocky area of 183 m above sea level.
History
King Robert II built a castle in 996 in the hills of Montfort. The castle was destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years' War. Montfort-l'Amaury was the stronghold of the Montfort family from the start of the 9th century. Amaury I built the ramparts.
The Comté de Montfort was related to the Duchy of Brittany following the marriage of Yolande de Dreux-Montfort with Arthur of Brittany in 1294. The crown returned to France when Brittany became a part of France under Francis I.
Sites of interest
The ruins of the donjon, above the house of Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel's house in Montfort-l'Amaury, where the composer lived from 1921 until his death- Ruins of the castle 48°46′36″N 1°48′16″E / 48.77667°N 1.80444°E
- Maison de Maurice Ravel, which is now a museum [1] . Maurice Ravel lived here from 1921 until his death.
- Chateau de Groussay, built in the 19th century
People
- Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester – born in the castle, 1208
- Maurice Ravel – composer
- Jean Anouilh – dramatist
- Jean Monnet – architect of European Unity
- Henri George Doll – scientist
Twin towns
- Nickenich, Germany
See also
References
External links
- Official website
- Pictures of Castle Montfort l'Amaury
- Photos of Monfort l'Amaury (the town and its towers)
- Informations about Montfort l'Amaury
North: Méré West: Gosrouvre Montfort-l'Amaury (commune) East: Bazoches-sur-Guyonne South: Mesnuls and Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines Categories:- Communes of Yvelines
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
