La Ferté-Alais

La Ferté- Alais is a commune with 3994 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Essonne in the Ile- de -France region; it belongs to the district Etampes and is the administrative center of the canton of La Ferte- Alais. The place belongs to the Communauté de communes du Val d' Essonne. Neighboring communities of La Ferte- Alais are: Boutigny -sur -Essonne and Cerny.

History

The former name of the city was La Ferté Baudouin. Ferté comes from Firmitas, Fortress, Alais from the first name Adélaïde and refers to a lady of the castle of the 11th century.

Attractions

The church of Notre -Dame de l' Assomption - one of the first Gothic churches in the Ile- de -France - was built in 1117-1165. Recent restorations are from the year 1631.

Events

Every year the Aviation Meeting of La Ferte- Alais will be held on Pentecost weekend which actually takes place on the airfield of Cerny.