First Essonne inhabitants

Created by the law of July 10, 1964 (on the reorganization of the Paris region) Essonne is a very recent department. But the history of the lands that compose it (Hurepoix, Brie, Gâtinais and northern Beauce), goes back several millennia.

It was at Etiolles that we found traces of the first nomads who settled on the Seine banks about 13,000 years ago. The traces left by first men are numerous in our department. Essonne early occupation dates back to the Upper Paleolithic and can be explained by the incomparable fertility of our lands.