Gif-sur-Yvette
Encyclopedia
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the south-western suburbs of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It is located 22.9 km (14.2 mi) from the center of Paris
Kilometre Zero
In many countries, Kilometre Zero or similar terms in other languages, is a particular location , from which distances are traditionally measured...
.
Geography
The town is crossed by and named after the YvetteYvette
The Yvette is a small river in southern Île-de-France , left tributary of the Orge, which is a tributary of the Seine. Its source is in Les Essarts-le-Roi, north of Rambouillet, in the Yvelines department...
river.
The total area is 11.6 km² (4.5 sq mi) and 4.07 km² (1.6 sq mi) is green spaces and woods.
Place names
The town of Gif-sur-Yvette is composed of sections:- in the valley: The Rougemonts, The Mérantaise, The Mairie, The Féverie, Coupières, Damiette, Courcelle, l'Abbaye, les Coudraies;
- on the Moulon Plateau: The Moulon (uninhabited, aside from a research and educational institute);
- on the Hurepoix Plateau: The Hacquinière, Belleville (created before the war) and Chevry (created in the 1970s, and equipped with infrustructure).
Also, the commune's territory includes many forests such as the Hacquinière Wood and the d'Aigrefoin Wood.
Commune's neighbors
The neighboring communes of Gif-sur-Yvette are : Villiers-le-BâcleVilliers-le-Bâcle
Villiers-le-Bâcle is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Inhabitants of Villiers-le-Bâcle are known as Villebaclais.-References:** -External links:* * *...
, Saint-Aubin
Saint-Aubin, Essonne
Saint-Aubin is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Inhabitants of Saint-Aubin are known as Saint-Aubinois.-Research activity:...
, Saclay
Saclay
Saclay is a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.It is best known for the large scientific facility CEA Saclay, mostly dealing with nuclear and particle physics....
, Orsay
Orsay
Orsay is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, from the center of Paris.Inhabitants of Orsay are known as Orcéens.-History:...
, Bures-sur-Yvette
Bures-sur-Yvette
Bures-sur-Yvette is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Inhabitants of Bures-sur-Yvette are known as Buressois.-Geography:...
, Gometz-le-Châtel
Gometz-le-Châtel
Gometz le Châtel is a French commune in the Essonne department in a southern suburb of Paris 25 km from the center of Paris.-Geography:This village is nearby Les Ulis, Bures-sur-Yvette, Gif-sur-Yvette and Gometz-la-Ville, alone the old road from Paris to Chartres, crossing the...
, Gometz-la-Ville
Gometz-la-Ville
Gometz-la-Ville is a French communes in the Essonne department in the southern suburbs of Paris from the center of Paris.Inhabitant of Gometz-la-Ville are named Gometziens.-Geography:...
, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France.It is the southernmost station and endpoint of the RER B line.-References:**...
.
History
The human presence on the Moulon Plateau originates in Neolithic times. Agriculture was developed, notably during the Roman era.Between the 12th and the 18th century, an important Benedictine abbey was built in Gif.
In the 19th century, Gif remained very agricultural (in particular, operating mills).
In 1867, Gif was linked to the path of the Sceaux train
Ligne de Sceaux
thumb|Old ligne de Sceaux, between [[Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse]] and [[Boullay-les-Troux]]"La Ligne de Sceaux" was a railway line in France running from Paris to some of its southern suburbs, including Sceaux from which it takes its name...
(which later became the south branch of the RER
RER
The RER is a rapid transit system in France serving Paris and its suburbs. The RER is an integration of a modern city-centre underground rail and a pre-existing set of commuter rail lines. It has several connections with the Paris Métro within the city of Paris. Within the city, the RER...
B
RER B
The RER B is one of the five lines in the RER rapid transit system serving :Paris, France.The line runs from the northern termini Aéroport Charles de Gaulle and Mitry-Claye to the southern termini Robinson and Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse ....
).
After the First World War, the Gif commune experienced an important demographic change. The town took the name Gif-sur-Yvette in 1930.
Just after the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Gif-sur-Yvette acquired an international scientific reputation, with the construction of the CNRS
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
The National Center of Scientific Research is the largest governmental research organization in France and the largest fundamental science agency in Europe....
and of the CEA
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique
The Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives or CEA, is a French “public establishment related to industrial and commercial activities” whose mission is to develop all applications of nuclear power, both civilian and military...
.
The town was extended in 1975, with the creation of the Chevry
Chevry
Chevry is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Chevry, in the Ain département* Chevry, in the Manche département* Chevry-Cossigny, in the Seine-et-Marne département...
section, from areas ceded by the Gometz-la-Ville
Gometz-la-Ville
Gometz-la-Ville is a French communes in the Essonne department in the southern suburbs of Paris from the center of Paris.Inhabitant of Gometz-la-Ville are named Gometziens.-Geography:...
and Gometz-le-Châtel
Gometz-le-Châtel
Gometz le Châtel is a French commune in the Essonne department in a southern suburb of Paris 25 km from the center of Paris.-Geography:This village is nearby Les Ulis, Bures-sur-Yvette, Gif-sur-Yvette and Gometz-la-Ville, alone the old road from Paris to Chartres, crossing the...
communes.
Main sights
The Saint-Rémi Church was constructed in the 12th Century and remained until the 15th Century, a structure of RomanRoman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
and Gothic architecture. It was registered in 1938.
Some ruins remain of an Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
which was built in the 12th Century and became a national property in 1789. It was officially registered in 1963.
Population
Inhabitants of Gif-sur-Yvette are known as Giffois.Economy
Gif-sur-Yvette is situated in the "Science Valley" of the YvetteYvette
The Yvette is a small river in southern Île-de-France , left tributary of the Orge, which is a tributary of the Seine. Its source is in Les Essarts-le-Roi, north of Rambouillet, in the Yvelines department...
River. Numerous research organizations exist in this area, such as the CNRS
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
The National Center of Scientific Research is the largest governmental research organization in France and the largest fundamental science agency in Europe....
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), the CEA
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique
The Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives or CEA, is a French “public establishment related to industrial and commercial activities” whose mission is to develop all applications of nuclear power, both civilian and military...
(Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique), Supélec
Supélec
École Supérieure d'Électricité, commonly known as Supélec, is a French Graduate School of Engineering delivering the equivalent of a Master's Degree as well as Ph.D opportunities. It is one of the most prestigious and selective Grandes Ecoles in France, and a reference in the field of electric...
(École Supérieure d'Électricité), the LGEP (Laboratoire de Génie Électrique de Paris, associated with Supélec
Supélec
École Supérieure d'Électricité, commonly known as Supélec, is a French Graduate School of Engineering delivering the equivalent of a Master's Degree as well as Ph.D opportunities. It is one of the most prestigious and selective Grandes Ecoles in France, and a reference in the field of electric...
) and the Institute of Plant Biotechnology. Also, Gif is home to the Centre National d'Études and of the National Police Academy.
The CGT
Confédération générale du travail
The General Confederation of Labour is a national trade union center, the first of the five major French confederations of trade unions.It is the largest in terms of votes , and second largest in terms of membership numbers.Its membership decreased to 650,000 members in 1995-96 The General...
operates, since 1950, a permanent central college of Gif-sur-Yvette, the Benoît Frachon Center, situated along the Yvette
Yvette
The Yvette is a small river in southern Île-de-France , left tributary of the Orge, which is a tributary of the Seine. Its source is in Les Essarts-le-Roi, north of Rambouillet, in the Yvelines department...
River.
Transport
Gif-sur-Yvette is served by two stations on Paris RER line BRER B
The RER B is one of the five lines in the RER rapid transit system serving :Paris, France.The line runs from the northern termini Aéroport Charles de Gaulle and Mitry-Claye to the southern termini Robinson and Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse ....
: Gif-sur-Yvette
Gif-sur-Yvette (Paris RER)
Gif sur Yvette is a RER B station of Gif-sur-Yvette, near Paris, in France....
and Courcelle-sur-Yvette
Courcelle-sur-Yvette (Paris RER)
Courcelle-sur-Yvette is a RER B station of Gif-sur-Yvette, near Paris, in France. It's also the name of a district of this town....
.
Like all the train stations on this line, one train goes towards/past Paris (Charles de Gaules Airport or Mitry) and the other goes towards the other end of the line : St-Remy les Chevreuses.
The trains arrive generally at 15 minutes interval.
People
- Juliette AdamJuliette AdamJuliette Adam Juliette Adam Juliette Adam (4 October 1836, Verberie (Oise) – 23 August 1936, Callian (Var), also known by her maiden name Juliette Lambert, was a French author and feminist.- Biography :...
(1836–1936), founder of the Nouvelle Revue (1879) and operator of a famous literary club during the Third RepublicFrench Third RepublicThe French Third Republic was the republican government of France from 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed due to the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, to 1940, when France was overrun by Nazi Germany during World War II, resulting in the German and Italian occupations of France...
. - The Duke and Duchess of Windsor - whose country home Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, a sprawling dwelling created from an old mill and a number of barns (Very rare in France at the time - one lived in a Chateau, not converted farm buildings!) was on the outskirts of town. The couple bought the buildings in 1952 and were part time residents for around 20 years.
- The artist Fernand LégerFernand LégerJoseph Fernand Henri Léger was a French painter, sculptor, and filmmaker. In his early works he created a personal form of Cubism which he gradually modified into a more figurative, populist style...
died on 17 August 1955 in the house where, in 1972, negotiations were held between Henry KissingerHenry KissingerHeinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
and Le Duc ThoLe Duc ThoLê Đức Thọ , born Phan Đình Khải in Ha Nam province, was a Vietnamese revolutionary, general, diplomat, and politician, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 1973, although he declined it....
which led to the end of the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. - The actor Richard BohringerRichard BohringerRichard Bohringer is a French actor.-Personal life:Bohringer was born in Moulins, Allier. He is the father of actress Romane Bohringer, and has two other children, Richard and Lou.-Career:...
lives in the town. His daughter, actress Romane BohringerRomane BohringerRomane Bohringer is a French actress, film director, screenwriter and costume designer. She is the daughter of Richard Bohringer and sister of Lou Bohringer. Her parents named her after Roman Polanski....
pursued her university studies here. - The actress and super-model Noémie LenoirNoémie LenoirNoémie Lenoir is a French model and actress of African and European descent.-Career:Lenoir was first spotted by Ford Models when she was 16 years old. In 1995, Lenoir signed with L'Oréal, and has since appeared in their advertisements alongside Laetitia Casta and long-term model and actress Andie...
is from Gif-sur-Yvette, in the l'Abbaye section. - The abdicated Duke of WindsorDuke of WindsorThe title Duke of Windsor was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1937 for Prince Edward, the former King Edward VIII, following his abdication in December 1936. The dukedom takes its name from the town where Windsor Castle, a residence of English monarchs since the Norman Conquest, is...
owned a house in Gif. - Well known British chemists who have been working at the Institut de Chimie des Substances NaturellesInstitut de Chimie des Substances NaturellesThe Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles is part of the Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France's most prominent public research organization. It is located at Gif-sur-Yvette, near Paris....
at Gif include: Derek Barton, Hugh FelkinHugh FelkinHugh Felkin was a research chemist in France from 1950 to 1990 and a member of the British Royal Society for Chemistry.In 1967, he proposed a model to predict the stereochemical outcome of the addition of nucleophiles to carbonylic compounds...
, Bob CrabtreeRobert H. CrabtreeRobert Howard Crabtree is a British chemist. He is presently serving as Whitehead Professor of Chemistry at Yale University in the United States. He is a naturalized citizen of the United States...
and Steve DaviesStephen G. DaviesStephen Graham "Steve" Davies is a British chemist and the Waynflete Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.- Career :...
.