Maisons-Laffitte () is a commune in the

Yvelines Yvelines () is a department in the western part of the Île-de-France region in Northern France. In 2019, it had a population of 1,448,207.department in the northern

Île-de-France The Île-de-France (; ; ) is the most populous of the eighteen regions of France, with an official estimated population of 12,271,794 residents on 1 January 2023. Centered on the capital Paris, it is located in the north-central part of the cou ...

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. It is a part of the affluent outer suburbs of northwestern

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, from its

centre Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

. Maisons-Laffitte is famous for the

Château de Maisons-Laffitte A château (, ; plural: châteaux) is a manor house, or palace, or residence of the lord of the manor, or a fine country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally, and still most frequently, in French-speaking reg ...

, built by architect

François Mansart François Mansart (; 23 January 1598 – 23 September 1666) was a French architect credited with introducing classicism into the Baroque architecture of France. The ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' identifies him as the most accomplished of 17th-c ...

in the 17th century, and its

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

track, the

Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse The Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte at 1 avenue de la Pelouse in the northwestern Parisian suburb of Maisons-Laffitte in France was a turf horse racing facility and track for Thoroughbred flat racing. Opened in 1878 by Joseph Oller, inventor of t ...

. Église Saint-Nicolas was built between 1867 and 1872.

History

Early Origins (Prehistoric to Roman Era)

The area of Maisons-Laffitte has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological finds suggest the presence of early human activity dating back to the Stone Age. During the Roman period, it was part of the territory of the Parisii tribe and later integrated into the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...

Roman Empire. Its location near the Seine River made it a strategic stop along trade and military routes connecting Lutetia (modern-day Paris) to the northwestern parts of Gaul.

Medieval period

In the Middle Ages, the area was known as ''Maisons-sur-Seine''. It was primarily rural, made up of forests, farmland, and a small village. The name "Maisons" comes from the Latin ''mansiones'', meaning dwellings or rest stops. The land was under the control of feudal lords and the Church. The village remained relatively quiet and isolated until the 17th century.

17th Century

The town began to rise in status when René de Longueil, a wealthy magistrate under Louis XIII and Louis XIV, commissioned the construction of a grand château. Between 1642 and 1650, architect François Mansart designed the

Château de Maisons The Château de Maisons (now Château de Maisons-Laffitte ), designed by François Mansart from 1630 to 1651, is a prime example of French Baroque architecture and a reference point in the history of French architecture. The château is located in ...

, an architectural masterpiece of classical French design. The château attracted aristocrats, artists, and dignitaries, increasing the prestige of the area.

18th Century

In the 18th century, the château was owned by various nobles, including the Count of Artois, who later became King Charles X. The estate was known for hunting, equestrian sports, and aristocratic gatherings. However, during the French Revolution, the château was seized as national property, and much of the aristocratic influence in the town declined.

19th Century

In 1818, banker and politician Jacques Laffitte purchased the château and surrounding lands. He developed the area into a luxury suburb of Paris by dividing the land into plots and selling them to wealthy Parisians. In 1882, the town officially changed its name from ''Maisons-sur-Seine'' to Maisons-Laffitte in his honor. The arrival of the railway further boosted development by connecting the town to Paris in just 20 minutes.

20th Century

Maisons-Laffitte became well-known for horse racing after the opening of its racetrack (hippodrome) in 1878. It earned the nickname "Cité du Cheval" (City of the Horse), with stables, training centers, and equestrian culture becoming central to the town’s identity. The town was occupied during World War II but was not heavily damaged. After the war, it continued to grow as a residential and commuter town.

World War I and World War II

World War I

During World War I (1914–1918), Maisons-Laffitte, like many towns near Paris, was not a battlefield but played an important role in supporting the French war effort. The town hosted military hospitals and convalescence centers for wounded soldiers returning from the front. Several private estates and public buildings were temporarily converted into medical facilities. The town also saw the mobilization of many of its residents. A significant number of men from Maisons-Laffitte were drafted into the French army, and the local community experienced heavy losses, which are commemorated by a war memorial located in the town center. In addition to the human cost, daily life in Maisons-Laffitte was marked by rationing, economic strain, and the adaptation of civilian life to the demands of war. Despite its proximity to Paris, the town was spared direct combat but remained on alert during key moments of the war, such as the German advance toward the Marne in 1914. Maisons-Laffitte continued to support the war effort through various local initiatives, including charity drives, supply donations, and assistance to refugees displaced from the eastern regions of France.

World War II

During World War II (1939–1945), Maisons-Laffitte, located just northwest of Paris, was occupied by German forces following the Fall of France in June 1940. The town remained under occupation until the Liberation in 1944. As part of the occupied zone, Maisons-Laffitte experienced the typical hardships of German rule. German troops were stationed in and around the town, and several buildings were requisitioned for military use. Daily life was heavily affected by curfews, food rationing, censorship, and surveillance. The Château de Maisons itself was occupied by German forces and used as a military headquarters or administrative post at various points during the occupation. The town also saw activity from the French Resistance. Members of the local resistance network operated discreetly, gathering intelligence, distributing clandestine newspapers, and aiding escaped prisoners or downed Allied airmen. These activities carried great risk, and some residents were arrested or deported to concentration camps. Jewish families living in Maisons-Laffitte were subject to anti-Semitic laws imposed by the Vichy regime and the German authorities. Some were arrested and deported during the large roundups (notably the Vel' d’Hiv roundup in July 1942), and memorials in the town today honor their memory. In 1944, as Allied forces advanced following the D-Day landings, Maisons-Laffitte was eventually liberated. The German military retreated, and French and Allied forces re-entered the town. Although Maisons-Laffitte was not heavily bombed and escaped major destruction, the scars of war remained in the form of personal loss, repression, and disruption of community life. After the war, memorial plaques and monuments were erected in Maisons-Laffitte to honor the soldiers, resistance members, and civilians who died or suffered during the conflict. The town actively commemorates these events each year during national remembrance days.

Cold War

During the Cold War, Maisons-Laffitte became an important cultural and political center for the Russian émigré community in France. After World War II, and especially during the tensions between the West and the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

, the town became a hub for anti-communist Russian intellectuals, writers, and exiles who had fled the Bolshevik Revolution and Stalinist regime. In 1950, the Russian-language

YMCA Press YMCA-Press is a publishing house originally established by the YMCA and located in Paris, also known as Librairie des Editeurs Réunis (bookstore) or Centre culturel Alexandre Soljenitsyne (cultural centre). It has published many great Russian a ...

(Éditions YMCA-Press) relocated its headquarters to Maisons-Laffitte. This publishing house played a critical role in the Cold War ideological struggle, as it printed and distributed censored Russian literary, philosophical, and religious works to be smuggled into the Soviet Union. One of its most famous publications was the works of

Alexander Solzhenitsyn Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn. (11 December 1918 – 3 August 2008) was a Soviet and Russian author and dissident who helped to raise global awareness of political repression in the Soviet Union, especially the Gulag prison system. He was a ...

, including The Gulag Archipelago*. The YMCA Press operated in collaboration with the **Russian Student Christian Movement (RSCM)**, which also had a base in Maisons-Laffitte. These institutions made the town a center for Russian Orthodox and dissident activity in Western Europe during the Cold War era. As a result, Maisons-Laffitte became known informally as a **“capital of the Russian diaspora”**. It attracted Russian-speaking writers, priests, artists, and activists who lived in exile, and its legacy in Russian cultural and religious history remains significant to this day. Although it was not involved in military activities, Maisons-Laffitte played a symbolic and intellectual role in the Cold War through its support of **freedom of expression, anti-totalitarianism, and the preservation of Russian culture outside the USSR**.

21st Century

As of 2025, Maisons-Laffitte is known as a wealthy suburban town that blends historical charm with modern living. It is known for its green spaces, international community, and elegant architecture. The Château de Maisons is now a protected monument and open to the public. The town remains an important center for horse training and racing in France. Maisons-Laffitte has been recognized in rankings of the best places to live in France. According to the 2025 "Villes et Villages où il fait bon vivre" (Towns and Villages Where Life is Good) ranking, Maisons-Laffitte is positioned 243rd nationally out of 34,795 communes. Among communes with populations between 20,000 and 50,000 inhabitants, it ranks 93rd out of 335. Within its department, Yvelines, Maisons-Laffitte holds the 8th position overall and 6th among communes of similar size. Additionally, Maisons-Laffitte has been featured in various publications highlighting desirable places to live in France. For instance, Expat Exchange includes Maisons-Laffitte in its list of the "15 Best Places to Live in France," noting its charming environment, rich history, and vibrant cultural life.

Expat community

Maisons-Laffitte is home to a notable expatriate population, particularly from English-speaking countries such as the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

, as well as other European nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian countries. As of 2021, around 10.8% of the town’s population held foreign citizenship, reflecting its international character. The town's appeal to expats stems from its peaceful, green environment, elegant residential neighborhoods, and proximity to central Paris (just 20 minutes by

RER A RER A is one of the five lines in the Réseau Express Régional (English: Regional Express Network), a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit system serving the city and suburbs of Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List o ...

or Transilien train). It offers a village-like atmosphere while remaining well-connected to urban amenities. A key factor in the town’s popularity with foreign residents is the presence of international educational institutions in the nearby area, most notably the

Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye The Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (more commonly, Lycée International or L.I.; English: International High School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye) is a French public school located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Yvelines, in the western sub ...

and the

International School of France International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

, which provides bilingual education in several languages, including English, German, Dutch, Spanish, and others. Many expat families choose to live in Maisons-Laffitte due to its convenient access to these schools. The town also has an active international community, with only English-speaking services, clubs, associations, and places of worship, like Holy Trinity Church, which regularly has Sunday services in English. other such services include cultural events, sports activities, and networking opportunities that help new residents integrate into

French culture The culture of France has been shaped by Geography of France, geography, by History of France, historical events, and by foreign and internal forces and groups. France, and in particular Paris, has played an important role as a center of high ...

. Maisons-Laffitte’s strong expat presence contributes to its cosmopolitan atmosphere while maintaining its traditional French charm.

Population

Landmarks

Landmarks and Monuments

(1643). * Contemporary to the château, several pavilions also designed by François Mansart: two at the entrance of the Parc de Maisons-Laffitte, framing the two

portes de Maisons-Laffitte Portes may refer to: Places France *Antheuil-Portes, in the Oise ''department'' *Les Portes-en-Ré, in the Charente-Maritime ''département'' *Portes-en-Valdaine, in the Drôme ''département'' *Portes, Eure, in the Eure ''département'' *Porte ...

, once closed by a gate. Two others a bit further away, heavily altered, on Avenue Eglé. A fifth at Caves du Nord, on Avenue Bourdaloue, extending the Avenue Albine at the other end of the park. * Saint-Nicolas Church, built in 1872. * The Chapel of Peace, dating from the XI^e et XVI^e siècles, decommissioned in 1896, now an exhibition center. The Fontaine de Maisons-Laffitte, located in the village nearby, dating from the 18th century. * The remains of the Machine des Eaux de Maisons-Laffitte on the small branch of the Seine. It was most likely built by

at the request of

René de Longueil René de Longueil, marquis (1658) de Maisons (1596–1677), ''le président de Maisons'', was Superintendent of Finances, Surintendant des Finances under Louis XIV of France, Louis XIV. He built the Château de Maisons. Biography He was born to a ...

to supply his future

in 1634. Destroyed in 1885, only the three masonry piers on which the machine rested remain today. The structure was listed as a historical monument in 1974. * Notable Villas ** At 30 Avenue Pascal: "''Pavillon Doulton''", created by the English pottery company

Royal Doulton Royal Doulton is an English ceramic and home accessories manufacturer that was founded in 1815. Operating originally in Vauxhall, London, and later moving to Lambeth, in 1882 it opened a factory in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, in the centre of Engl ...

for the Exposition Universelle of 1878. After the exposition, the facade was rebuilt in the Parc de Maisons-Laffitte and a house was constructed behind it. ** At 35 Avenue Belleforière: Villa with a garden from 1923, designed by architects Henri Lecoeur (1867-1951) and Jodart for Mr. and Mrs. Laureys. It is now divided into apartments, and the garden has been subdivided for the construction of several buildings. ** At 2 Avenue du Général-Leclerc: "''Villa Florentine''", built in 1905 by architect

André Granet André Granet (born Paris 6 May 1881: died 27 October 1974) was a French architect who also specialized in organizing and designing major exhibitions. In addition he manifested a passion for aviation. Architecture André Granet, the archite ...

(1881-1974) for Mr. Trussy. The decoration was done by Mr. Ledoux. ** Propriété Juillard ** Pavillon des Gardes ** Pavillon, 72 rue de Paris (Maisons-Laffitte) ** Pavillon, 2 rue de la Muette (Maisons-Laffitte) ** Pavillon, 24 avenue Eglé (Maisons-Laffitte) ** Pavillon, 21bis avenue Eglé (Maisons-Laffitte) ** Propriété, 39 avenue Albine (Maisons-Laffitte) * Hôtel Royal de Maisons-Laffitte * Building, 36bis rue de la Muette (Maisons-Laffitte) File:La vieille église de Maisons-Laffitte 02.jpg, The old church next to the château. File:Maisons-Laffitte Park Doors 2011 05.jpg, The park gate as seen from the inside.

Transport

Transport and Mobility

The town has its own railway station, the

Maisons-Laffitte station Maisons-Laffitte station is a railway station in Maisons-Laffitte, a northwestern suburb of Paris, France. It is on the Paris–Le Havre railway. The rer line A passes through the station. The station has a glass entrance with blue glass and is ...

, located on the

Paris–Le Havre railway The Paris–Le Havre railway is an important 228-kilometre long railway line, that connects Paris to the northwestern port city Le Havre via Rouen. Among the first railway lines in France, the section from Paris to Rouen opened on 9 May 1843, fol ...

, in operation since 1843. The station is served by both the

line and the

Transilien Line L Transilien Paris-Saint-Lazare is one of the sectors in the Paris Transilien suburban rail network. The trains on this sector depart from Gare Saint-Lazare in central Paris and serve the north and north-west of Île-de-France region with Transilien ...

. The station is also served by several bus lines from the Argenteuil - Boucles de Seine bus network: lines 2, 6, 12, and 262. At night, it is served by the Noctilien line N152. * Line 2:

<> Saint-Germain-en-Laye station * Line 6:

Le Mesnil-le-Roi Le Mesnil-le-Roi () is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is about from Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The name "Mesnil" comes from meaning "little estate". The name "Le Mesnil-le-Roi" could ...

* Line 12:

<> Urban Circuit * Line 262:

<> Pont de Bezons * Line N152:

Cergy-le-Haut station Cergy-le-Haut () is a railway station in Cergy, a western Paris suburb, that serves trains on the RER A line of the Réseau Express Régional network and Line L line of the Transilien network. The station was built in 1994 and is located un ...

Paris Saint-Lazare The Gare Saint-Lazare (; ), officially Paris Saint Lazare, is one of the seven large mainline railway station terminals in Paris, France. It was the first railway station built in Paris, opening in 1837. It mostly serves train services to weste ...

Notable residents

Pape-Philippe Amagou Pape-Philippe Amagou (born February 27, 1985) is a French-born Ivorian retired basketball player. During his career, he played for several teams in France and Greece and was a member of the Côte d'Ivoire national basketball team. He is a four-t ...

, basketball player *

Grégory Baugé Grégory Baugé (born 31 January 1985) is a French professional racing cyclist. Early life Bauge first took up sport at the age of eight, playing football. His father enrolled him in the Aubergenville cycling school. At that time he took part i ...

, cyclist *

Eugène Louis Bouvier Eugène Louis Bouvier (9 April 1856 in Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux – 14 January 1944 in Paris) was a French entomologist and carcinologist. Bouvier was a professor at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. Biography Following graduation at t ...

, zoologist *

Jean Cocteau Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau ( , ; ; 5 July 1889 11 October 1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, film director, visual artist and critic. He was one of the foremost avant-garde artists of the 20th-c ...

, writer, filmmaker, and artist *

Jerzy Giedroyc Jerzy Władysław Giedroyć (; 27 July 1906 – 14 September 2000) was a Polish writer, lawyer, publicist and political activist. For many years, he worked as editor of the highly influential Paris-based periodical, '' Kultura''. Early life Gi ...

, founder and editor of a leading Polish-émigré literary-political journal, ''

Kultura ''Kultura'' (, ''Culture'')—sometimes referred to as ''Kultura Paryska'' ("Paris-based Culture")—was a leading Polish-émigré literary-political magazine, published from 1947 to 2000 by ''Instytut Literacki'' (the Literary Institute), in ...

'' *

Philippe Jaroussky Philippe Jaroussky (; born 13 February 1978) is a French countertenor. He began his musical career with the violin, winning an award at the Versailles conservatory, and then took up the piano before turning to singing. Unusually for a counterteno ...

, opera singer * Coralie Lassource, handball player *

René Le Roy René Le Roy (; 4 March 1898 – 3 January 1985) sometimes spelled René LeRoy, was a French 20th-century flutist and a pedagogue. Biography René Le Roy was born in 1898 in Maisons-Laffitte. His parents were both amateur musicians, his father ...

(1898–1985), classical flautist *

Odd Nerdrum Odd Nerdrum (born 8 April 1944) is a Norwegian Figurative art, figurative painting, painter. A controversial figure in Norway, he is known for his anti-modernist stance. Themes and style in Nerdrum's work reference anecdote and narrative. Primar ...

, painter *

Randy de Puniet Randy de Puniet (born 14 February 1981) is a road racer of motorcycles from France. He competed in Grands Prix racing between 1998 and 2014, where he achieved five wins in the 250cc class. He also competed in the Superbike World Championship d ...

, motorcycle racer *

Anne Queffélec Anne Queffélec (born 17 January 1948) is a French classical pianist, born in Paris. Biography Anne Queffélec is the daughter of Henri Queffélec and sister of Yann Queffélec, both noted writers. Her brother Hervé Queffélec is a mathema ...

, pianist *

Yvonne Rokseth Yvonne Rokseth (, 17 July 1890 – 23 August 1948) was a French composer, musicologist, organist, violinist, and writer. She was active in the French resistance during World War II and is best known for her research on medieval music. Life and ca ...

, composer and musicologist *

Emma Watson Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson (born 15 April 1990) is an English actress. Known for her roles in both Blockbuster (entertainment), blockbusters and independent films, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Emma Watson, ...

(until the age of five), actress * James Winkfield, jockey, horse trainer *

Ghislaine Maxwell Ghislaine Noelle Marion Maxwell ( ; born 25 December 1961) is a British-French-American former socialite and convicted sex offender. She was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with the deceased financier and ...

, British socialite known for her association with Jeffrey Epstein * Nicolas Canteloup, a French impressionist/comedian.

Education

Public schools:Liste des établissements

See the attendance boundaries
/ref> * Six preschools/nurseries (''maternelles''): Bois-Bonnet, Clos-Lainé, Cocteau, Colbert, La Renarde, Montebello * Four elementary schools: Jehan Alain/André Ledreux, Colbert, Le Prieuré, Mansart * Junior high schools (''collèges''): Jean Cocteau and Collège Le Prieuré * Senior high schools/sixth-form colleges:

Lycée Évariste Galois (Sartrouville) Lycée Évariste Galois is a senior high school/sixth-form college in Sartrouville, Yvelines, France, in the Paris metropolitan area The Paris metropolitan area () is a statistical area that describes the reach of commuter movement to and from ...

and

Lycée Les Pierres Vives Lycée Les Pierres Vives is a senior high school/sixth form college in Carrières-sur-Seine, Yvelines, France, in the Paris metropolitan area. The name comes from the quote of François Rabelais François Rabelais ( , ; ; born between 1483 ...

(Carrières sur Seine) Private schools: *

/ L'Ermitage (preschool to senior high) * Sainte-Marie (preschool and elementary) * Ecole Montessori Internationale

Twin towns – sister cities

Since 2023, Maisons-Laffitte is exclusively and reciprocally twinned with

Arkadag Arkadag (Turkmen ''arka'' "behind" + ''dag'' "mountain", connoting "protector") is a city in southern Turkmenistan. It became the regional capital of Ahal Province effective 20 December 2022. It is a largely greenfield development started in 201 ...

city,

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest and the Caspian Sea to the west. Ash ...

References

External links

Local website
(in English)
Official website
(in French)
Tourist Office
(multi-lingual)
Pictures and history of Maisons-Laffitte ( French)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maisonslaffitte Communes of Yvelines