Maisons-Alfort is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 8.4 km. (5.2 miles) from the center of Paris.

Maisons-Alfort is famous as the location of the National Veterinary School of Alfort, the most renowned veterinary medical school in France. The Fort de Charenton, constructed between 1841 and 1845, has since 1959 housed the Commandement des Écoles de la Gendarmerie Nationale.

Name

At the creation of the commune during the French Revolution, the name of the hamlet of Alfort was joined with the name of Maisons. The name Alfort comes from the manor built there by Peter of Aigueblanche, Bishop of Hereford (England), in the middle of the 13th century. The name of this Manor of Hereford was corrupted into Harefort, then Hallefort, and eventually Alfort. The National Veterinary School of Alfort was settled several centuries later in the manor and its estate.

History

On April 1, 1885, 40% of the territory of Maisons-Alfort was detached and became the commune of Alfortville.

In 1905, Buffalo Bill stayed two months in Maisons-Alfort while his famous Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show performed in Paris.

Demographics

Immigration

Administration

Maisons-Alfort is divided into two cantons:

• Maisons-Alfort-Nord, with 23,704 inhabitants;
• Maisons-Alfort-Sud, with 27 399 inhabitants.

Twinning

Maisons-Alfort is twinned with Moers in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Transport

Maisons-Alfort is served by three stations on Paris Métro Line 8: École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, Maisons-Alfort — Stade, and Maisons-Alfort — Les Juilliottes.

It is also served by two stations on Paris RER line D: Maisons-Alfort – Alfortville and Le Vert de Maisons.

External links

• Official website