Le Chesnay
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| Commune of Le Chesnay | |
| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Île-de-France |
| Department | Yvelines |
| Arrondissement | Versailles |
| Intercommunality | none as of 2005 |
| Statistics | |
| Land area¹ | 4.24 km² |
| Population² (Jan. 1, 2005 estimate) (March 8, 1999 census) |
29,400 28,530 |
| - Density (2005) | 6,934/km² |
| ¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 mi² or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| ² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel). | |
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Le Chesnay is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 16.7 km. (10.4 miles) from the center of Paris.
[edit] History
On 1 July 1815, Napoleon's Grande Armée fought its last battle in Rocquencourt and Le Chesnay. After the defeat of Waterloo on 18 June 1815, Grouchy's army withdrew to Paris via Namur and Dinant, reaching Paris on 29 June, a few days before the Prussians, who camped at Versailles.
While negotiating the final armistice, Exelmans was ordered to attack the Prussians at Versailles on 1 July 1815. Under attack the Prussians retreated from Versailles and headed east, but were blocked by the French at Vélizy. They failed to re-enter Versailles and headed for Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Their first squadron came under fire at the entrance of Rocquencourt and attempted to escape through the fields. They were forced into a small, narrow street in Le Chesnay and killed or captured. However, the main body of the Prussian army succeeded in reaching Saint-Germain. (From Presentation of Rocquencourt)
[edit] Transport
Le Chesnay is served by no station of the Paris Métro, RER, or suburban rail network. The closest station to Le Chesnay is Versailles – Rive Droite station on the Transilien Paris – Saint-Lazare suburban rail line. This station is located in the neighboring commune of Versailles, 2 km.(1.2 miles) from the town center of Le Chesnay.
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