Le Vaudoué
Le Vaudoué is a small commune in the Seine-et-Marne department of Île-de-France, located near the Fontainebleau Forest and part of the Gâtinais Regional Park. It lies about 30 km from Melun and 20 km from Fontainebleau, within the living area of Milly-la-Forêt. The region’s sandstone rocks and a nearby watercourse have long made it a favorable place for settlement.
Millions of years ago, the area was shaped by an ancient sea, depositing minerals that enriched the land. These deposits fostered dense forests, similar to the "Ardennes" forest mentioned by Julius Caesar. In the Middle Ages, these woods became essential for local industries, supplying materials for metalworking and glassmaking.
Le Vaudoué’s valleys and diverse rock quarries attracted workers, leading to the construction of a building, known as “Le Palais,” which served as a place for royal agents to manage taxes and salaries. The village name, “Val d’Oé,” likely refers to a historical widow’s dowry from this land.
The village is rich in heritage, including the mysterious Potala rock, the former distillery on the road to La Chapelle-la-Reine, and the historic Saint Loup Church, known for its stained-glass windows by master craftsman Gérard Hermet. The village’s connection to ancient orders is reflected in Fourches-En-Gâtinais, where a Templar, Guillaume d’Herblay, once served as chaplain to King Philip IV.