Vulaines-sur-Seine
Vulaines-sur-Seine is a small village located about 6 km from Fontainebleau and 65 km southeast of Paris. Its name has changed over time, being recorded as “Vulayne” in 1614 and “Vuillaine” in 1692, before officially becoming “Vulaines-sur-Seine” in the 19th century to differentiate it from another village. The name likely comes from the Latin “villa,” suggesting a large agricultural estate, typical of Roman or medieval times. However, Vulaines doesn’t appear in written records until 1459, indicating it wasn’t very significant compared to neighboring areas.
Historical records show Vulaines was part of a church parish from the Middle Ages, dedicated to Saints Eloi and Fiacre. This parish served as both a religious and community center. During the late Middle Ages, after the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death, the village slowly grew as its lands, especially vineyards, were revived to meet rising demand from Paris.
In 1717, an inspection of Vulaines detailed its population, homes, and agricultural lands. At that time, the village had about 39 households with an estimated 122 people. Most were vineyard workers, small landowners, or artisans, including blacksmiths and stonemasons. Only a few wealthier families, often associated with larger landholdings, stood out.
The village layout and agriculture were mapped in 1788 by an official survey, highlighting the vineyards on hillsides, farmable land on the plateau, and limited pastures by the Seine. This map, ordered for tax purposes, showed the village's structure and is now an important historical document.