Montlhéry

Montlhéry is a common French, located in the department of the the Essonne and the area Île-de-France.

History

Montlhéry is famous for its castle of which there remains only the tower. It was built at the 11th century on the site of a primitive castle. Strategic position on the way of Paris to Orleans, the fortress is the object of battles between the royal capacity and the lords of the place.

Louis VI makes dismantle the fortress and a royal residence in of it 1118 makes.

In 1227, during the White regency of of Castille, the young person Louis IX shelters there to protect himself from a feudal revolt. He is helped there by the Parisian militia. During the War One hundred Year old, French and English adapt it in turn. A famous episode: the Battle of Montlhéry (July 16th 1465), which opposes the Ligue of the Public property, coalition of concerned princes of their independence with Louis XI.

In 1562, the fortress is forsaken because ruined by the wars of religion. In 1591, Henri IV decides his abandonment and authorizes the inhabitants to use the stones.

At the 19th century, the tower close to Paris is used for various scientific experiments:

1822 : Arago calculates the speed of sound there: a blow of gun drawn from the tower was observed at the Observatory of Villejuif.
1823 : a relay of the telegraph Chappe is installed on the Paris-Bayonne line.
June 5th 1874: Alfred Cornu tries to calculate speed of light between the tower and the Observatoire of Paris.

Economy

It was also, like many communes of the Hurepoix, a market-gardening city; the festival of tomato perpetuates the memory of these cultures.

Road racing set

Although located on the communes of Linas and Saint-Germain-the-Arpajon, the road racing set, the Autodrome of Linas-Montlhéry had its hours of glory since its creation in 1924 by Alexandre Lamblin.

This circuit comprises a race track raised, and a sinuous part punt in forest.

It was the seat many races (Bol of gold, etc) and innumerable records (Velocette, Citroen Rosalie, etc).

It is still currently used for the tests of the car magazines and motorcylcist, like with the manufacturers. (certain installations inside the ring are used to test the vehicles under extreme conditions).

The last years, it was not useful any more, because of degradation of the track, but with demonstrations symbolic systems (Coupes Motor bike-legends, etc).

Today threatened of disappearance, it does not constitute of it less one witness of the first speed records. In June 2004 took place the last solo circuit of the circuit.

Famous residents

Paul Fort, called the Prince of the Poets lived there of 1921 until its death in 1960.

Events

The tower, closed since many years for important work of rehabilitation, perhaps will be reopened with the public in 2007.

External bonds

Official site of the town of Montlhéry
Site of one impassioned of the local history
History of the windmill
History of the motor-racing track

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