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The Brie and the Champagne region are extremely rich in history as they were the first regions to be included in the French kingdom. From the Middle Ages until the French Revolution, Napoleon’s Empire and the World War I, both have undergone huge transformations and played major roles in the history and construction of France and of Europe.
Bailly-Romainvilliers
The hamlet of Bailly and small town of Romainvilliers were reunited in the end of the 19th century to form the city of Bailly-Romainvilliers. Originally, Bailly was the first to be settled with its priory erected in the middle of the 15th century – after which the city was named. The priory was named “Bailly,” from the Latin word “Bosco,“ meaning forest. The hamlet was one of the earliest developments, with its castle being built in the 14th century and important farms grew around it to benefit from its protection. From 1642 to 1701, the castle hosted the Count of Tourville, a prodigious navigator in charge of building the French Royal Navy under Louis XIV’s reign. After winning many of decisive battles against the Dutch and English Navy, he was named Vice-admiral and Marshal by the Minister of Royal Navy under Louis XIV, Colbert, and is still considered the best French marine of all time.
During Bailly’s expansion, Romainvilliers was still a remote hamlet. Not until the end of the 19th century did it grow, as a road between Paris and Coulommiers was built for trade and merchandise transportation between Paris and eastern regions of France.
Only when Eurodisney was established in the region in 1992, did the small village become a city, with its population being multiplied by ten between 1982 (402 inhabitants) and 2002 (4509 inhabitants).
Provins
As far as you can go in Provins’ history, the city is know to be settled since the early Middle Ages, but only gained importance under Charlemagne (742/747-814), the King of the Franks, who sent to the city his “missi dominici,” mandated to control the right execution of the central power’s orders. During the 12th and 13th centuries the city was booming and reached a level of extraordinary affluence, under the reign of King Philippe-August and King Saint-Louis. In fact, it benefited from its ideal geographical settings, at the crossroads of nine main routes linking the Mediterranean to the Far East. Long-distance trade grew significantly at that time during the fairs organized under the Counts of Champagne’s legacy. The most important fair was held in Provins, where you could find all kinds of merchandise from wool to stain to spices. Moreover, the military architecture, erected as early as the first millennium, protected the city from rival lords armies’ assaults. Between the 11th and 13th century, massive fortified walls, the Remparts, that you can still see today and the Tour César (César's Tower), assured the safety of the city which prospered until the fairs of Champagne declined, to the benefit of the fairs of Flanders. The emblematic figure of Provins was Count Thibaud IV of Champagne (1201-1253) who brought back several significant victories to Saint-Louis from the crusades, as well as the famous rose of Damas, which was spread across Europe and is still cultivated in the town.
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau’s name comes from Fontaine Belle Eau, literally meaning Fountain of Beautiful Water. The city’s history is inextricably entwined with that of the castle, which is known to have existed since the 12th century. The dungeon – that you can still see in the cours ovale of the Château, dates from this period. The city is famous for having hosted all the Kings of France for over eight centuries, from Louis VI the Fat (1081-1137) to Napoleon III (1808-1873). In the Middle Ages, the first kings to come to Fontainebleau were Philippe-August (1165-1223) and Saint-Louis (1214-1270). Philip IV the Fair was born and died in the castle. But, it’s only during the Renaissance period that the city grew significantly, with Francis I (1494-1547) residing in the castle. The King remodeled it entirely, and musical events (Salons) and parties attended by the aristocracy from all over Europe were organized. Meanwhile, the city grew to be able to accommodate the King’s court and supply the castle in goods. Its cultural influence was huge as famous figures like French poet Ronsard counted among the King’s guests. The city saw another significant expansion under King Henry IV (1553-1610) who often came to Fontainebleau. Plans to erect new buildings and arrange the gardens were conducted under his rule, but only achieved under his son’s reign, Louis XIII (born in the castle in 1601). King Louis XIV was never really fond of the castle. He came here once a year but widely preferred to stay in Versailles or Marly. During the French Revolution, Fontainebleau was spared and remained a dormant city until Napoleon’s reign. His words about the castle still honor the city, “a home for centuries, and the true residence of the Kings”.
Moret-sur-Loing
The small village of Moret is thought to have been settled as early as the Roman period but only grew in importance in the 11th century, as it entered the French kingdom under King Philip I’s reign. As a strategic territory bordering the Burgundy and Champagne kingdoms, it needed to be defended from rival threats. Hence, fortified walls were erected with gates closing the city and protecting it from outside assaults. You can still see the Porte de Bourgogne and Porte de Samois when you take a tour of Moret. From the same period dates the dungeon and the monastery. Under Henry IV, the hospital, called Hôtel-Dieu, and the schools were built, as the monastery was arranged to host the famous nuns that invented the recipe of the still-highly-praised candies–the Sucre d’Orge, that spread throughout the region. In the 19th century, Moret witnessed the increasing influence of the impressionist movement, as English painter Alfred Sisley resided in the city for 10 years.
Meaux
2000 years ago, Meaux was just a gathering of huts nestled in the Brie plateau and protected by the Marne river. In the Roman period, Meaux grew significantly with the construction of baths, temples and theaters, but was completely destroyed by the invasion of barbarian troops. After being controlled by the Franks and pillaged by the Normans in the 9th century, it was finally attached to the Champagne territory at the end of the 10th century. In the Middle Ages, the city became an important center for religion. With its Cathédrale Saint-Étienne being erected, Meaux became an Episcopal city and its bishop of great influence. As a religious center, Meaux has been the settings of the hundred-year long bloody battle between the Protestants and the Catholics. The town was devastated and burnt several times until King Henry IV came to the city on January 1, 1594, putting an end to decades of civil war in the region. In the 17th century, theologian and moralist Bossuet marked the city with its presence, reintroducing Catholicism in every day’s life and assisting the poorest.
Melun
Located at the crossroads of main trade routes linking Paris to the east and to the south of what is now France, the city has always played a strategic role as Paris' "breadbasket." Traces of the first settlements in Melun, named during the roman period Metlosedum or Melodunum, were found as early as 52 BC. It is acknowledged that preachers (Savinien and Saint Aspais) were established in the city during the 3rd century to convert its inhabitants to the new Christian religion. Under Clovis' reign, the city was fortified and flourishing, and therefore the object of repeated barbarian assaults. In the 10th century, a castle was erected in the city to host King Hugues Capet (940-996) and its descendants. The French philosopher and theologian Abélard found refuge in its walls in 1138. From the 14th to the 16th century, the city expanded as a religious center, as five monasteries were established. Its economical role was reinforced by the construction of mills and it provided flour for the entire population of Paris. The economy of Melun grew significantly in the 19th century when the railroad between Paris and the South of France was built. Nowadays, it is still the administrative and economical center of Seine-et-Marne.
Champagne
Many pages of France's history have their origin in the Champagne region. Its territory has been settled since the prehistorical times. Most of the populations living there were nomads and scattered tribes, until Julius Cesar invaded the Gaul between 58 and 51 BC. The main city of the region, called Durocorturum (the future Reims) was considered an ally and benefited from various privileges. During the first centuries, many tribes coming from the North, like the Alamans, the Goths and the Huns invaded the region. In 498, the first page of French History was written in Reims, with the first King of the Franks (Clovis) being baptized by Saint Rémi in Reims cathedral. The region was still not part of the French Kingdom. Even Charlemagne didn’t manage to create a united region, but his son was crowned in Reims, initiating a tradition for all the kings of France until 1825. During the Middle Ages, a lot of cathedrals and fortified churches were erected and the region was flourishing, thanks to the exceptional talents of the Counts of Champagne for fairs and trade. The fairs of Champagne were the most important of Europe until the 14th century. At the Renaissance period, the region became a major field of battle between Catholics and Protestants, preventing it from remaining prosperous. It was not until the 19th century that the economy grew stably and significantly again in several industries: metallurgy and textile. During World War I, the region was devastated as part of one of the most bloody episodes of the war (the Bataille de la Marne) and on World War II, it was in the occupied zone. A lot of members of the Resistance found refuge in the wine cellars buried 100 yards under the ground. You can visit these cellars in some wineries across the region. - Aurélie Pichard
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