Montfort-l'Amaury () is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region, Northern France. It is located north of Rambouillet. The name comes from Amaury I de Montfort, the first seigneur (lord) of Montfort. It was a seat of several noble families, including the Chardonnay family, who held lands there from the late 13th century.

Geography

Montfort-l'Amaury lies north of the Rambouillet Forest. It is located at the foot of low hills, at about 130 m above sea level. Montfort-l’Amaury has a land area of about 5.71 km², with an elevation of approximately 130 meters above sea level. As of the latest legal census, the population is around 2,790 inhabitants, giving a population density of about 489 persons per square kilometer. Additionally, the composer Maurice Ravel lived in this commune between 1921 and 1937 in a house called Le Belvédère, which is now a museum. The ruins of the castle founded around the year 996 and the church of Saint-Pierre are also notable landmarks.

History

King Robert II built a castle in 996 in the hills of Montfort. Montfort-l'Amaury was the stronghold of the Montfort family from the start of the 11th 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. It returned to the crown of France when Brittany became a part of France under Francis I. The castle was destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years' War.

Population

Sites of interest

thumb|left|250px|The ruins of the donjon, above the house of Maurice Ravel

250px|thumb|left|[[Maurice Ravel's house in Montfort-l'Amaury, where the composer lived from 1921 until his death]]

  • Ruins of the castle <small></small>
  • Maison de Maurice Ravel, which is now a museum. Maurice Ravel lived here from 1921 until his death.
  • Château de Groussay, built in the 19th century

People

  • Jean Anouilh, dramatist
  • Colette Darfeuil, actress
  • Henri George Doll, scientist
  • Pierre Dupuis (1610–1682), painter
  • Jean Monnet, architect of European Unity
  • Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester (born in the castle, 1208)
  • Maurice Ravel, composer
  • Charles Aznavour, singer
  • Ambroise Roux (1921-1999), CEO of Compagnie générale d'électricité (later known as Alcatel) from 1970 to 1981, lived and died in Montfort-l'Amaury.

Twin towns

  • Nickenich, Germany

See also

  • Communes of the Yvelines department

References

  • Official website
  • Pictures of Castle Montfort l'Amaury
  • Photos by Amaury Laporte, free to use for non commercial purposes
  • Information about Montfort l'Amaury