Thomery

Thomery, a small commune in Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France, lies along the Seine River near Fontainebleau Forest. It's located 7.7 km from Fontainebleau and 21.4 km from Melun, covering just 3.7 km². Thomery is known for its unique history, royal connections, and viticulture heritage.

Historically, the town name has two origin stories. One credits a monk named Merry, who stayed there in 715, while another attributes the name to a cheerful remark by King Henri IV when visiting. Due to its proximity to Fontainebleau Palace, Thomery became a popular retreat for French royalty. Influential figures built estates here, including Henri IV’s physician, who constructed Château de La Rivière.

Thomery’s fame grew in the 18th century with the cultivation of the Chasselas grape, introduced in 1730 by François Charmeux. A distinctive growing technique used stone walls to store heat, ripening grapes into the autumn. By the 19th century, this method had spread over 250 km of walls, with a special preservation method discovered in 1848 allowing grapes to stay fresh until May. Thomery’s Chasselas grapes were highly valued, shipped across France and even to Russia, peaking at 1,000 tons yearly.

However, the Chasselas industry declined in the late 19th century due to harsh winters, disease, competition, and labor migration. The last shipment was in 1970, though Thomery still honors its wine-making tradition.

Today, Thomery embraces tourism, drawing visitors with its heritage, natural beauty, and artist connections. Notable artists like Rosa Bonheur and Alfred Sisley were inspired by Thomery’s scenery.

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