On the edge of the valley of
Chevreuse, about 40 min from Paris, Élancourt is a very green city. Combining
history and modernity, medieval edifices and modern buildings stand side by side in a green landscape that’s very much appreciated by residents as well as
tourists.
Short
history
In 1472, the small town called
Ellencourt at that time reached for the first time a hundred people. Its
population continued to grow at an easy pace until the advent of the modern
city and the “population boom” in generated in the 1970’s. Summing 800
residents in five centuries, Élancourt attracts over 8000 people in five years!
For the next 30 years, Élancourt become one of the main centers of urban
development west of the capital, and now reunites 28 000 inhabitants. Turning
from a village into small modern city while retaining its charm a natural
landscape, Élancourt is an inviting destination at the gates of Paris.
Bois
de Élancourt: 8th of March in connexion with nature
With natural highlights such as forests, lakes and mountains
close to Élancourt, there are several trails you can take for some fresh air.
We chose Bois de Élancourt for its easy access: from the Town Hall (Hôtel de ville) you take the road to the
left and in about 5-7 min by foot you’re at one of the entrances. As we wanted
to enjoy the sunset, which is at 18:46h, we enjoyed a laid-back lunch and set
out rather late in the afternoon at about 16h.
Entering Bois de Élancourt, the change of
setting becomes more and more visible, as the noises of the town are being silenced
and replaced by the sound of the wind through the leafs and a few birds singing here and there.
Continuing the descend along the path, as soon as
hearing the flow of the water it feels like entering a naturally
air-conditioned space. I do look forward to come back here on a hot summer day.
As the sunset approached, it was all peace and quiet.
And the sunset was absolutely
marvelous.
Perfect to just take a sit and enjoy ;)
