Fleury-en-Bière
Fleury-en-Bière is a small town in the Seine-et-Marne department, located southwest of Île-de-France and northeast of the Gâtinais region. It’s 15 kilometers from Melun and close to Fontainebleau, connecting it to the Paris area.
In 1550, Cosme Clausse, a notable secretary under King Henri II, bought Fleury's estate and constructed a new château. His family maintained and expanded it over generations. The Clausse family were influential figures, and their work included enlarging the château and adding architectural details, like a grand canal and intricate park inspired by Venetian styles. This château later passed through marriage to the Argouges family in the 18th century, who continued renovations, adding a tower and enhancing the park.
The town’s history stretches back to ancient ruins, once home to a priory established by the Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris. The village name combines “Adelice” (the name of its first lady) and “Biera,” meaning “the plain” in Celtic.
The town church, Notre-Dame de L'Assomption, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, has many historic artifacts, including medieval tombstones, a painted wooden tabernacle, and antique altars. Over time, the church has undergone various expansions and additions.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Fleury added public amenities, including washhouses and water wells, still visible today. Four significant stone crosses mark the parish’s borders, symbolizing its religious heritage. In 1921, a war memorial was erected to honor local soldiers who died in World War I. Located near the château, it remains a central spot for remembrance ceremonies.