Le Chesnay is a former commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-Franceregion in north-central France. On 1 January 2019, it was merged into the new commune Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris, 16.7 km (10.4 mi) from the center of Paris.

History

On 1 July 1815, Napoleon’s Grande Armée fought its last battle in Rocquencourt and Le Chesnay. 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.

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 city of Versailles, 2 km (1.2 mi) from the town center of Le Chesnay.

LDS Temple

In April 2017, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened its first temple in Metropolitan France to the public prior to its dedication on May 21, 2017. The Paris France Temple is located in Le Chesnay with grounds abutting the gardens of the Château de Versailles. The Pape’ete Tahiti Temple was built earlier and is in Overseas France, in Pape’ete, Tahiti.

Education

Public preschools: Maryse Bastié, Hélène Boucher, Jean-Louis Forain, Jean de La Fontaine, Mozart, Charles Perrault.

Public elementary schools: Guynemer, Langevin, Le Nôtre, Molière.

Universities:

• Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

There is also a municipal library, la Bibliothèque du Chesnay.