Vélizy-Villacoublay

Vélizy-Villacoublay

The church of Saint-Denis, in Vélizy-Villacoublay

Coat of arms
Vélizy-Villacoublay

Coordinates: 48°47′00″N 2°11′00″E / 48.7834°N 2.1834°E / 48.7834; 2.1834Coordinates: 48°47′00″N 2°11′00″E / 48.7834°N 2.1834°E / 48.7834; 2.1834
Country France
Region Île-de-France
Department Yvelines
Arrondissement Versailles
Canton Vélizy-Villacoublay
Government
 • Mayor Pascal Thévenot
Area1 9.09 km2 (3.51 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 20,030
 • Density 2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 78640 / 78140
Elevation 102–179 m (335–587 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Vélizy-Villacoublay is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris 13.9 km (8.6 mi) from the center and 3.2 km (2.0 mi) east of Versailles. Its inhabitants are called Véliziens.

Geography

Established on the Parisian plateau, the town of Vélizy-Villacoublay borders Meudon in the north-east, Clamart in the east, Bièvres in the south-east, Viroflay in the north-west, and Chaville in the north.

Vélizy-Villacoublay is a very urbanized town bordering the Meudon forest, which spans over 300 hectares (741 acres) of communal land.

There are six districts: Mozart, le Clos, le Mail, Louvois, la Pointe Ouest et Vélizy-le-Bas (with l'Ursine and le Bocage).

History

The word "Vélizy" comes from the Latin word villa. "Villacoublay" is formed from the same word, combined with the Gallo-Roman patronym "Escoblenus". Originally called simply Vélizy, the name of the commune became officially Vélizy-Villacoublay in 1938.

The territory was formed from three distinct manors: Vélizy, Villacoublay, and Ursine, established in the 11th century. The domains were progressively annexed into the royal estate beginning in the 12th century (Vélizy was annexed at the end of the 13th century).

The airbase in Villacoublay, Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base, was built in 1911. In 1974 the Vélizy 2 shopping mall was opened.

The body of Diana, Princess of Wales was flown to RAF Northolt, west London, from here after her death in Paris on August 31st, 1997.[1]

Main sights

Town hall

Transport

Vélizy-Villacoublay is served by no station of the Paris Métro, RER, or suburban rail network. The closest station to Vélizy-Villacoublay is Chaville–Vélizy station on Paris RER line C. This station is located in the neighboring commune of Viroflay, 1.7 km (1.1 mi) from the town center of Vélizy-Villacoublay. Starting 2014, Vélizy-Villacoublay is served by a tramway line (line T6) with 7 stations.

The town is also serviced by the A86 autoroute, the 118 national route (RN118), and the RN286.

Economy

Education

Twin towns

See also

References

  1. ↑ Walford, Charles (26 January 2012). "Historic RAF airfield used by the Queen 'to be sold to property developers in latest cuts plan'". Daily Mail. London.
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