Roissy-en-Brie (until 1988 Roissy) is a French commune with 22,994 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region. The inhabitants are called Roisséens.
In the charming commune of Roissy-en-Brie, located in the
Seine-et-Marne department of France, a collection of historical and
cultural landmarks provides insight into the area's heritage and
offers diverse attractions for visitors. Below is an expanded and
rephrased overview of these sites, incorporating additional
historical context, architectural notes, and current functions.
Château de Roissy: This impressive château, originally built in
the 17th century and later enlarged during the 19th century, now
functions as the local town hall (Hôtel de Ville). Its elegant
design and historical allure have attracted numerous prominent
figures over the years, including the celebrated opera singer Maria
Malibran, the ophthalmologist Photinos Panas, the cinema pioneer
Charles Pathé (who entertained film stars there), and the politician
Henri Mège. The structure exemplifies classic French architecture
from those eras and serves as an administrative hub while preserving
its role as a key municipal monument.
Cultural Center at the
Ferme d'Ayau: Housed in the historic Ayau farm complex, this vibrant
cultural hub encompasses several facilities dedicated to arts and
community engagement, including the municipal cinema known as La
Grange, the spacious Grande Halle for events and performances, the
Aimé Césaire media library, and a conservatory offering programs in
music, dance, and fine arts. The site blends rustic farm heritage
with modern cultural amenities, hosting exhibitions, workshops,
spectacles, and animations in a welcoming environment that promotes
creativity and accessibility for all ages. It's a dynamic space that
fosters local artistic expression and community gatherings.
Hi-Han Animal Park: Operating as an educational farm and animal
park, this family-friendly attraction allows visitors to interact
with a variety of farm animals through hands-on experiences like
petting, feeding, and learning about their daily lives. Open from
Tuesday to Sunday between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., it offers affordable
entry (4€ per person, free for children under 2) and serves as an
engaging spot for children to discover rural life and animal
husbandry in a fun, informative setting. The park emphasizes
education, with guided insights into animal care, making it ideal
for school groups and families seeking an outdoor adventure.
Church of Saint-Germain: This Gothic-style church, dating back to
the 15th century with modifications in the 19th century, stands as a
significant religious and architectural landmark in the commune.
Dedicated to Saint-Germain d'Auxerre, it features historical
elements like a bell that chimes at noon and serves as the burial
site for the composer Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, who passed away
in Roissy-en-Brie in 1755 and was interred in the nave. Legend ties
it to a 5th-century encounter between Saint Geneviève (patron saint
of Paris) and Saint Germain, though the structure was reportedly
damaged during Norman invasions and subsequently rebuilt. Today, it
remains an active place of worship and a point of interest for those
exploring local history.
Roissy-en-Brie is a commune located about 23 kilometers east of
central Paris in the Seine-et-Marne department of the Île-de-France
region. It has a train station served by the RER E line, making public
transport a convenient option. The best way to reach it depends on your
starting location—I'll cover common scenarios below, including from
Paris city center and major nearby airports (Paris Charles de Gaulle/CDG
and Paris Orly). Note that costs and times are approximate and can vary
based on time of day, traffic, or exact departure point; check current
schedules via apps like Citymapper, RATP, or SNCF for real-time updates
as of January 2026.
From Central Paris (e.g., Gare du Nord or
Châtelet)
By Train (Recommended for Speed and Cost): Take the RER E
line eastbound toward Tournan from stations like Magenta (near Gare du
Nord), Haussmann Saint-Lazare, or Val de Fontenay. The direct ride to
Roissy-en-Brie station takes about 35 minutes and costs €5–13 (second
class €5–9, first class €9–13). Trains run hourly every day. From there,
you can connect to local buses (lines A, D, E, or Noctilien N142) for
areas within the town.
By Bus: A direct bus from République station
to Gare de Roissy-en-Brie takes about 1 hour 3 minutes and runs 5 times
a day. Costs are typically low (around €2–7 per segment if transfers are
needed), operated by Pays Briard or similar. Alternative routes with
transfers (e.g., via Château de Vincennes) can take up to 1 hour 44
minutes.
By Car: Drive east via the A4 autoroute (toward Metz/Nancy).
The distance is about 30 km, with an estimated time of 27–28 minutes in
light traffic. Expect fuel/toll costs of €4–6. Use GPS for real-time
routing, as construction or traffic could affect this.
By Taxi or
Rideshare (e.g., Uber): Takes 28 minutes and costs €60–75. Book via apps
or hail at major spots; popular operators include Taxis G7 or Taxis
Parisiens.
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG, about 26 km
away)
By Train (Recommended for Public Transport): No direct
train—take RER B from Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 to Paris Nord (34
minutes, €14, every 10 minutes), then transfer to RER E at Magenta
toward Tournan and get off at Roissy-en-Brie (35 minutes). Total time: 1
hour 29 minutes; total cost: €18–26. Operated by RER and SNCF.
By
Bus: Take bus Ex 19 from Gare de Roissypôle (at CDG Terminal 1) to Gare
de Torcy (1 hour 1 minute, hourly), then connect locally if needed.
Total time: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
By Car: Drive south via the
A104 and A4. Distance: 38 km; time: 35 minutes; fuel costs: €7–10.
By
Taxi or Rideshare: Takes 35 minutes and costs €100–130 for taxi or
€45–60 for rideshare like Uber. Available on demand at the airport.
From Paris Orly Airport (ORY, about 23–35 km away)
This is the
closest major airport. Options are similar to CDG: Take Orlyval to
Antony, then RER B to Paris Nord, and transfer to RER E (total ~1–1.5
hours, €15–25). Driving takes 30–40 minutes via A86 and A4 (about 35
km). Taxi/rideshare: 35–45 minutes, €70–100.
In 1115, legend has it that Seneschal Anseau de
Garlande and his niece Yolande cross the forest of Roissy-en-Brie on
horseback when a boar attacks his niece's mount. It was then that a
peasant from Torcy and a peasant from Roissy-en-Brie rushed to help
the lord and the young lady. To reward this act of bravery, Anseau
de Garlande therefore offered a parcel of forest, about 150
hectares, to the villages of Torcy and Roissy-en-Brie, the forest
being a wealth at the time because it was a game reserve. and wood
for construction and heating.
There was a priory at Roissy
which was in ruins in the 19th century. During this period, gypsum
was extracted and tillage implements were made there.
The
Château de Roissy, which currently houses the town hall, dates from
the 17th century. Its beauty has attracted many illustrious
characters such as the great singer Maria Malibran, Dr Photinos
Panas, eminent ophthalmologist of the last century or even Charles
Pathé, the greatest industrialist of cinema, who receives the
greatest stars of the seventh art at the château.
Roissy
absorbed the municipality of Pontcarré in 1810 and separated from it
in 1829, thus returning it to its status as a municipality.
Since 1970, the city has grown rapidly, going from 500 to nearly
23,000 inhabitants in 2017. The immense wheat fields have given way
to residential and real estate complexes, although the woods still
represent 50% of the municipal territory.
Watercourse management
In order to achieve the good water
status imposed by the Water Framework Directive of 23 October 2000,
several integrated management tools are articulated at different
scales: the SDAGE, at the hydrographic basin scale, and the SAGE ,
at the local level. The latter sets the general objectives of use,
development and quantitative and qualitative protection of surface
and underground water resources. The Seine-et-Marne department is
covered by six SAGEs, within the Seine-Normandy basin6. The town is
part of two SAGE: "Yerres" and "Marne Confluence".
The SAGE
“Yerres” was approved on October 13, 2011. It corresponds to the
Yerres watershed, with an area of 1,017 km2, traversed by a
hydrographic network of approximately 450 kilometers in length,
divided between the course of the river. 'Yerres and its main
tributaries which are: the Ru de l'Étang de Beuvron, the Visandre,
the Yvron, the Bréon, the Avon, the Marsange, the Barbançonne, the
Réveillon7. SAGE is managed and coordinated by the joint union for
sanitation and water management in the Yerres watershed (SYAGE),
described as a "supporting structure".
The SAGE “Marne
Confluence” was approved on January 2, 2018. It covers the
downstream part of the Marne watershed straddling the departments of
Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne . In total, 52
municipalities are concerned, covering an area of 270 km. SAGE is
managed and coordinated by the Marne Vive union, described as a
"supporting structure", a mixed union created in 199310.
Weather
The town benefits from a "degraded oceanic climate of the
plains of the Center and North", according to the typology of
climates in France defined in 2010. This type affects the entire
Paris Basin with an extension towards the south, including all of
the municipalities of Seine-et-Marne.
The climatic parameters
which made it possible to establish this typology include six
variables for temperature and eight for precipitation, the values
of which correspond to the monthly data for the 1971-2000 normal.
The seven main variables characterizing the municipality are
presented in the box opposite. With climate change, these variables
have since evolved. A study carried out in 2014 by the Directorate
General for Energy and Climate in fact predicts that the average
temperature should increase and the average rainfall fall, with
however strong regional variations. This development can be seen on
the nearest historic Météo-France meteorological station, Melun -
Villaroche, which is 20 km away as the crow flies, where the annual
average temperature is 11.2 ° C for 1981-201015 at 11.6 ° C for
1991-2020.
Natural environments and biodiversity
The
inventory of natural areas of ecological, faunistic and floristic
interest (ZNIEFF) aims to cover the most interesting areas from an
ecological point of view, essentially with a view to improving
knowledge of the national natural heritage and providing a tool to
help the various decision-makers take the environment into account
in regional planning.
Administrative and electoral
attachments
The town has been located since 1994 in the district
of Torcy in the department of Seine-et-Marne. For the election of
deputies, it has been part of the eighth district of Seine-et-Marne
since 1988.
It was part of the canton of Tournan-en-Brie from
1801 to 1975, when it became the capital of the canton of
Roissy-en-Brie. As part of the cantonal redistribution of 2014 in
France, this canton is removed and the city integrates the canton of
Pontault-Combault.
Intercommunality
Roissy-en-Brie and
Pontault-Combault. came together on January 1, 2010 to form the
agglomeration community of Brie Francilienne.
As part of the
implementation of the MAPAM law of January 27, 2014, which provides
for the generalization of intercommunality to all municipalities and
the creation of large-scale intercommunalities in Île-de-France,
capable of dialogue with the metropolis of Greater Paris, this
intercommunal merger with its neighbors to form, on January 1, 2016,
the Paris - Marne Valley urban community, of which the municipality
is now a member.
Location and Overview
Roissy-en-Brie is a commune situated in the
Seine-et-Marne department within the Île-de-France region of
north-central France. It lies in the eastern suburbs of Paris,
approximately 23.4 to 25 km southeast of the city center, making it part
of the broader Parisian metropolitan area. The commune covers an area of
13.65 km² and has a population of around 23,229 (as of 2023 estimates),
resulting in a density of about 1,702 inhabitants per km².
Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 48.7904° N and longitude
2.6568° E, placing it in the Brie natural region, a fertile plateau
between the Seine and Marne river valleys. This region is characterized
by its agricultural heritage and proximity to urban Paris, blending
residential suburbs with green spaces. Roissy-en-Brie is classified as a
large urban center and falls within the Paris attraction area, serving
as a main pole in the intercommunality of CA Paris - Vallée de la Marne.
The commune is well-connected, with access via the national route N104
(La Francilienne) and the A4 autoroute, as well as the Roissy-en-Brie
station on the Paris RER line E, which links it directly to central
Paris. It is traversed by railway lines originating from Paris-Est
station. Surrounding areas include neighboring communes and forests such
as Notre-Dame and Armainvilliers, contributing to its semi-rural
character despite urban development.
Topography and Terrain
The topography of Roissy-en-Brie is relatively flat to gently rolling,
typical of the Brie plateau within the Paris Basin. Elevations range
from 95 m to 115 m above sea level, with the town center at
approximately 108 m and an average around 102 m. This minimal elevation
variation reflects the broader Brie region's landscape, which features
open plains with subtle undulations rather than dramatic hills or
valleys. The terrain is fertile and supports agriculture, with large
fields of crops like wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflowers, potatoes,
onions, and sugar beets dotting the area, especially vibrant in summer.
The Paris Basin's sedimentary geology underlies this, promoting rich
soils ideal for farming.
Land use in Roissy-en-Brie (based on 2018
data) is diverse: forests cover 45.4% of the territory, urbanized zones
31.4%, arable lands 16.6%, artificial green spaces (like parks) 4.2%,
industrial/commercial areas and infrastructure 2.1%, and minor shrubby
or herbaceous vegetation 0.3%. This mix highlights its transition from
rural Brie farmland to suburban development while retaining significant
natural cover.
Climate
Roissy-en-Brie experiences a temperate
oceanic climate, classified as degraded oceanic for the plains of
northern France or Cfb under the Köppen-Geiger system (temperate with
cool summers and no dry season). It is altered by its position in the
South-West Paris Basin, featuring low spring rainfall (120-150 mm) and
relatively cold winters averaging around 3.5°C. The average annual
temperature is approximately 10.9-12.1°C, with a thermal amplitude of
15.2°C. Summers are short and comfortable (June to September), with
average highs above 70°F (21°C), peaking in July at 76°F (24°C) highs
and 58°F (14°C) lows. Winters are very cold and windy (November to
March), with highs below 50°F (10°C), coldest in January at 43°F (6°C)
highs and 35°F (2°C) lows. Temperatures rarely drop below 23°F (-5°C) or
exceed 88°F (31°C).
Precipitation is moderate and evenly distributed,
with no pronounced wet or dry season; annual totals average 716 mm, and
wet days occur 21-31% of the time (mostly rain). Monthly rainfall ranges
from 1.3 inches (33 mm) in February/March/April to 1.8 inches (46 mm) in
May/October/December. Cloud cover varies seasonally: clearer from late
March to mid-October (clearest in July, 62% clear/partly cloudy),
cloudier from mid-October to late March (cloudiest in December, 74%
overcast). Humidity remains comfortable year-round, with minimal muggy
days (peaking at 1.0 in July). Winds are stronger in winter (average
11.4 mph in January) and calmer in summer (8.0 mph in August),
predominantly from the west, north, or south depending on the season.
The growing season lasts about 7.3 months (April to November), and
daylight varies from 8 hours in December to 16 hours in June. For
construction and environmental standards, it is in zone H1a.
Hydrography
The hydrographic network of Roissy-en-Brie totals 8.95 km
of watercourses. Key features include the Morbras river (17.28 km long
overall, a tributary of the Marne), the ru de la Longuiolle (2.10 km,
tributary of the Morbras, converging at Étang du Coq), and two canals:
canal 01 de la Commune de Pontcarré (2.18 km, joining the Morbras) and
canal 02 (2.63 km, converging with canal 01). These waterways are
managed under the EU Water Framework Directive, with local plans like
the SAGE Yerres (covering the 1,017 km² Yerres watershed) and SAGE Marne
Confluence (270 km² lower Marne watershed involving 52 communes). The
presence of these streams and canals reflects the commune's integration
into the broader Seine-Normandie basin, supporting local ecology without
major rivers dominating the landscape.
Natural Features and
Biodiversity
Roissy-en-Brie boasts significant natural features,
emphasizing its "land of greenery" in the Brie region. Forests and woods
cover nearly half the area, including borders with the Bois Notre-Dame,
Bois de la Grange, Forêt d'Armainvilliers, and Forêt de Ferrières.
Notable green spaces include the Parc des Sports and Bois de la Malnoue,
providing recreational areas amid residential zones. Biodiversity is
protected through ZNIEFF (Natural Zones of Ecological, Faunistic, and
Floristic Interest) designations: one type 1 zone ("Mare aux Fougères,"
0.91 ha across two communes) and two type 2 zones ("Bois Notre-Dame,
Grosbois et de la Grange," 3,410 ha across 15 communes; "Forêts
d'Armainvilliers et de Ferrières," 5,683 ha across 12 communes). These
areas preserve wetlands, woodlands, and diverse habitats, enhancing the
commune's ecological value in an otherwise urbanizing region.