Travel Guide Villennes-Sur-Seine

Villennes, whose name probably comes from a "villa" built on a Gallo-Roman site, has a relatively turbulent history, due to its geographical position on the banks of the Seine. The village was regularly invaded by enemies sailing up the river, and had to wait until the end of the Hundred Years' War, in the mid-15th century, to regain a certain tranquillity. An estate with a castle from the Renaissance onwards, it was ruled by numerous lords until the French Revolution. Vineyards and the exploitation of gypsum and clay quarries ensured the prosperity of the commune, which expanded from the reign of Louis XIV onwards. The 19thcentury brought major changes to the area, notably with the demolition and reconstruction of the château, followed by the gradual urbanization of the commune. As with all holiday and boating resorts, large middle-class estates were built here, marking the advent of an era of frivolity and frivolity, interrupted by the two world wars. Now mainly residential, Vilennes-sur-Seine offers a rare calm and charm, much appreciated by Parisians and visitors alike. The small town center, with its local shops, cafés and recently-renovated covered market, gives Villennes-sur-Seine the charm of a Yvelines village dotted with stately homes with undeniable cachet.