Saint-Mammès

Saint-Mammès is a riverside village in the Seine-et-Marne department, located at the meeting point of the Seine and Loing rivers, and close to Montereau-Fault-Yonne. The village has long ties to the river and its industries, historically attracting boatmen and becoming a central hub for river transport in the Île-de-France region, second only to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine.

The Loing Canal, opened in 1723 by order of the Duke of Orleans, boosted local trade, establishing Saint-Mammès as a key port linking the Seine with Burgundy. The village developed unique streets and gardens, reflecting the small spaces mariners were used to on their boats, and became home to many retired mariners who settled here with family gardens.

Saint-Mammès also has a long history as a religious site. The village is named after Saint Mammès, a Christian martyr whose relics were brought from Constantinople by a returning villager. The saint was believed to have healing powers, especially for rabies, and local legend says rabid dogs would come to lie by his statue to be cured.

Though river trade has declined since the 2000s due to freight market changes, Saint-Mammès has adapted by developing a riverside stop for leisure boats, attracting visitors and continuing its tradition as a village centered around the river.

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