Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis
Encyclopedia
Montreuil is a commune
in the eastern suburbs of Paris
, France
. It is located 6.6 km (4.1 mi) from the center of Paris
. It is the third most populous suburb of Paris (after Boulogne-Billancourt
and Argenteuil
). Montreuil is located near the Bois de Vincennes
park.
" in Medieval Latin
. The settlement of Montreuil started as a group of houses built around this small monastery.
and Louis XVI
the "Peach Walls" which provided the royal court with the fruits. Later it sheltered the Lumière brothers and George Méliès in their workshops located in lower Montreuil.
On 1 January 1860, the city of Paris was enlarged by annexing neighboring communes. On that occasion, the commune of Charonne was disbanded and divided between the city of Paris, Montreuil, and Bagnolet
. Montreuil received a small part of the territory of Charonne.
Today Montreuil is divided into several districts:
Senator Dominique Voynet
, who was elected on the second round of 2008 municipal elections
, defeating the former ex-Communist mayor Jean-Pierre Brard
.
Since 1984, the mayor
of Montreuil had been Jean-Pierre Brard
, a colourful ex-Communist who left few indifferent. His supporters point to the large amounts of good quality social housing and an active cultural policy. His critics point to harsh treatment of travellers and Roms, and a tendency to control all kinds of voluntary organizations around the city.
He caused particular controversy in 2004 and 2005 by his wishing to go further than the law banning ostentatious religious symbols in schools. He tried, with some success, to ban mothers wearing headscarves from accompanying school outings for example.
He has always been interested in fighting against what he terms "sects", but has also surrounded himself with some supporters who are very extreme in their opposition to the influence of religions.
The city is divided into three cantons :
has its corporate head office in Montreuil. The Air France
Paris office (of Air France-KLM
) is in Montreuil.
8.
The Montreuil Library (Bibliothèque de Montreuil) consists of the Robert-Desnos Central Library, the Daniel-Renoult Library, the Colonel-Fabien Library, and the Paul-Eluard Library. Robert-Desnos, in a park near the commune's town hall, is the largest library in the commune. It houses a disco and internet access points. Daniel-Renoult, near Montreau Park, serves the Montreau-Ruffins Théophile Sueur community. Colonel-Fabien, in the Ramenas-Fabien-Léo Lagrange community, is near the Intercommunal Hospital. Paul-Eluard is near the La Grande Porte shopping centre and is within 50 metres (164 ft) of the Robespierre
Paris Métro
station and Rue de Paris.
: Robespierre
, Croix de Chavaux
, and Mairie de Montreuil
.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the eastern suburbs of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It is located 6.6 km (4.1 mi) from the center of Paris
Kilometre Zero
In many countries, Kilometre Zero or similar terms in other languages, is a particular location , from which distances are traditionally measured...
. It is the third most populous suburb of Paris (after Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Boulogne-Billancourt is a sub-prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Boulogne-Billancourt....
and Argenteuil
Argenteuil
Argenteuil is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Argenteuil is a sub-prefecture of the Val-d'Oise department, the seat of the arrondissement of Argenteuil....
). Montreuil is located near the Bois de Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes
The Bois de Vincennes is a park in the English landscape manner to the east of Paris. The park is named after the nearby town of Vincennes....
park.
Name
The name Montreuil was recorded for the first time in a royal edict of 722 as Monasteriolum, meaning "little monasteryMonastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
" in Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages, primarily as a medium of scholarly exchange and as the liturgical language of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, but also as a language of science, literature, law, and administration. Despite the clerical origin of many of its authors,...
. The settlement of Montreuil started as a group of houses built around this small monastery.
History
This city sheltered under the reigns of Louis XIVLouis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
and Louis XVI
Louis XVI of France
Louis XVI was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792, before being executed in 1793....
the "Peach Walls" which provided the royal court with the fruits. Later it sheltered the Lumière brothers and George Méliès in their workshops located in lower Montreuil.
On 1 January 1860, the city of Paris was enlarged by annexing neighboring communes. On that occasion, the commune of Charonne was disbanded and divided between the city of Paris, Montreuil, and Bagnolet
Bagnolet
Bagnolet is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Its inhabitants are called Bagnoletais.-History:...
. Montreuil received a small part of the territory of Charonne.
Today Montreuil is divided into several districts:
- Le bas Montreuil (which joins together the old workshops (bordering on Saint-MandéSaint-MandéSaint-Mandé is a commune of the Val-de-Marne department in Île-de-France in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe.-History:...
), the marché aux puces (bordering on Paris, carries of Montreuil), - The Mairie (town hall) (the malls, la croix de Chavaux, the mairie, and the church),
- La noue (parc des Guilands, city of du Val, Robespierre, bordering on BagnoletBagnoletBagnolet is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Its inhabitants are called Bagnoletais.-History:...
), - Le Bel Air (Jean MoulinJean MoulinJean Moulin was a high-profile member of the French Resistance during World War II. He is remembered today as an emblem of the Resistance primarily due to his role in unifying the French resistance under de Gaulle and his courage and death at the hands of the Germans.-Before the war:Moulin was...
housing estate, park des Beaumonts, city of Bel Air, city of Grand Pechers), - La Boissière (all the north of Montreuil, bordering on Noisy-le-SecNoisy-le-SecNoisy-le-Sec is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Heraldry:-Transport:Noisy-le-Sec is served by Noisy-le-Sec station on Paris RER line E.-Personalities:*Hassoun Camara,footballer...
, Rosny-sous-BoisRosny-sous-BoisRosny-sous-Bois is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.It is the seat of the national centre of road information of the national gendarmerie.- Heraldry :-Transport:...
and Fontenay-sous-BoisFontenay-sous-BoisFontenay-sous-Bois is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Name:The name Fontenay was recorded in the Middle Ages as Fontanetum, meaning "the springs", from Medieval Latin fontana .The commune was known alternatively as Fontenay-les-Bois ,...
).
Main artistic heritage
- Decorations (ceramics and frescoes) in the state school "VoltaireVoltaireFrançois-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
" by Maurice BoitelMaurice BoitelMaurice Boitel Maurice Boitel Maurice Boitel (July 31, 1919 – August 11, 2007 in Audresselles (Pas-de-Calais), was a French painter.-Artistic life:Maurice Boitel belonged to the art movement called "La Jeune Peinture" ("Young Picture") of the School of Paris, with painters like Bernard Buffet, Yves...
(1954).
Heraldry
Immigration
Administration
The mayor of Montreuil is the GreenThe Greens (France)
The Greens were a Green political party to the centre-left of the political spectrum in France. They had officially been in existence since 1984, but their spiritual roots could be traced as far back as René Dumont’s candidacy for the presidency in 1974...
Senator Dominique Voynet
Dominique Voynet
Dominique Voynet was a French senator for the département of Seine-Saint-Denis, the mayor of Montreuil and a member of The Greens.-Life:...
, who was elected on the second round of 2008 municipal elections
French municipal elections, 2008
The French municipal elections of 2008 were held on 9 March in that year to elect the municipal councils of France's 36,782 communes...
, defeating the former ex-Communist mayor Jean-Pierre Brard
Jean-Pierre Brard
Jean-Pierre Brard, , is a French politician.-Biography:Initially a teacher, he entered politics and was elected was deputy mayor of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis a post he held until 1984, when he was elected mayor of the same city. He remained mayor until March 2008. He has also been a deputy to...
.
Since 1984, the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Montreuil had been Jean-Pierre Brard
Jean-Pierre Brard
Jean-Pierre Brard, , is a French politician.-Biography:Initially a teacher, he entered politics and was elected was deputy mayor of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis a post he held until 1984, when he was elected mayor of the same city. He remained mayor until March 2008. He has also been a deputy to...
, a colourful ex-Communist who left few indifferent. His supporters point to the large amounts of good quality social housing and an active cultural policy. His critics point to harsh treatment of travellers and Roms, and a tendency to control all kinds of voluntary organizations around the city.
He caused particular controversy in 2004 and 2005 by his wishing to go further than the law banning ostentatious religious symbols in schools. He tried, with some success, to ban mothers wearing headscarves from accompanying school outings for example.
He has always been interested in fighting against what he terms "sects", but has also surrounded himself with some supporters who are very extreme in their opposition to the influence of religions.
- The canton of Montreuil-Est (East): 33,730 inhabitants (37.2%);
- The canton of Montreuil-Nord (North): 28,436 inhabitants (31.4%);
- The canton of Montreuil-Ouest (West): 28,508 inhabitants (31.4%).
Economy
UbisoftUbisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
has its corporate head office in Montreuil. The Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
Paris office (of Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM is a European airline holding company incorporated under French law with its headquarters at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport in Tremblay-en-France, Paris...
) is in Montreuil.
Education
The commune's educational services are operated out of the Opale B Administrative Building. Montreuil has eight collèges, three lycées, two lycées techniques, and the IUT of the University of ParisUniversity of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
8.
The Montreuil Library (Bibliothèque de Montreuil) consists of the Robert-Desnos Central Library, the Daniel-Renoult Library, the Colonel-Fabien Library, and the Paul-Eluard Library. Robert-Desnos, in a park near the commune's town hall, is the largest library in the commune. It houses a disco and internet access points. Daniel-Renoult, near Montreau Park, serves the Montreau-Ruffins Théophile Sueur community. Colonel-Fabien, in the Ramenas-Fabien-Léo Lagrange community, is near the Intercommunal Hospital. Paul-Eluard is near the La Grande Porte shopping centre and is within 50 metres (164 ft) of the Robespierre
Robespierre (Paris Metro)
Robespierre is a station on line 9 of the Paris Métro, on the Rue Robespierre. It is in the commune of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, just to the east of Paris....
Paris Métro
Paris Métro
The Paris Métro or Métropolitain is the rapid transit metro system in Paris, France. It has become a symbol of the city, noted for its density within the city limits and its uniform architecture influenced by Art Nouveau. The network's sixteen lines are mostly underground and run to 214 km ...
station and Rue de Paris.
Notable residents
- Djamel AbdounDjamel AbdounDjamel Abdoun is an Algerian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Olympiacos.-Personal:...
, AlgeriaAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n footballer who played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... - Oumar BakariOumar BakariOumar Bakari is a French footballer defender of Ivorian descent. Currently, he plays in the Championnat de France amateur for UJA Alfortville....
,footballer - Olivier Dacourt,footballer
- Cyril Eboki PohCyril Eboki PohCyril Eboki Poh is a French professional football player. Currently, he plays in the Championnat de France amateur for CA Bastia....
,footballer - Luigi GlombardLuigi GlombardLuigi Glombard is a French football striker currently playing for Championnat National side Chamois Niortais.-Club career:Glombard joined the Nantes academy in 2000 and made his senior debut in 2002...
,footballer - Quentin OthonQuentin OthonQuentin Othon is a French football player who currently plays for French club RC Strasbourg. He has represented his country at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.-External links:*...
,footballer - Ralph PettyRalph PettyRalph Petty is an American figurative and landscape painter, musician, saxophonist, and singer living in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France.- Biography :...
Founder of the Combes Gallery in Paris, Associate Professor of Fine Arts at the American University of Paris - Mamadou Samassa (goalkeeper born 1990)Mamadou Samassa (goalkeeper born 1990)Mamadou Samassa is a French football player who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Guingamp in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. He is a French youth international and represented his nation at under-18, under-19, and under-20 level...
, footballer - Oumar SissokoOumar SissokoOumar Sissoko is a Malian footballer with FC Metz of France's Ligue 2. His cousin Mohamed Sissoko is also a professional footballer and was also capped for Mali.-External links:* profile...
,footballer - Abel ThermeusAbel ThermeusAbel Thermeus is a Haitian football player, who is a striker. He played for Atromitos Yeroskipou.France-born Thermeus spent a couple of unsuccessful years at Monaco before moving to lower league side Créteil...
,footballer - Steven ThicotSteven ThicotSteven Thicot is a French association football player who plays as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder...
,footballer
Transport
Montreuil is served by three stations on Paris Métro Line 9Paris Metro Line 9
Paris Métro Line 9 is one of 16 lines of the Paris Métro. The line links Pont de Sèvres in Boulogne in the west with Montreuil in the east. It is the fourth busiest line on the network....
: Robespierre
Robespierre (Paris Metro)
Robespierre is a station on line 9 of the Paris Métro, on the Rue Robespierre. It is in the commune of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, just to the east of Paris....
, Croix de Chavaux
Croix de Chavaux (Paris Metro)
Croix de Chavaux is a station on line 9 of the Paris Métro, at the crossroads called Croix de Chavaux.The station was opened on 14 October 1937 with the extension of the line from Porte de Montreuil to Mairie de Montreuil. The "chavaux" in the name of the crossroads is probably a corruption of the...
, and Mairie de Montreuil
Mairie de Montreuil (Paris Metro)
Mairie de Montreuil is a station on line 9 of the Paris Métro near the Mairie de Montreuil .The station was opened on 14 October 1937 with the extension of the line from Porte de Montreuil....
.