Arpajon, Administrative commune in Essonne, France
Arpajon is a town in the Île-de-France region south of Paris, sitting on gently rolling terrain cut through by the Orge River. The old market square anchors the center, framed by residential buildings that give the streets their character.
The settlement grew from a Roman fort on the Orge River that once served as a trade post in ancient times. The town took its current name Arpajon in the 18th century, leaving behind its earlier name Chastres.
Residents celebrate the Bean Festival each September, honoring the area's farming roots and its long connection to local markets. This tradition shapes how people see their community and its identity.
The area connects well to Paris via the RER C train line, which runs regularly, and local buses serve nearby towns. The old market is easy to reach on foot, and the flat terrain makes it comfortable to walk around.
The covered market building from the 15th century is among the oldest of its kind in the region and has barely changed over centuries. This structure reveals how deeply the town's identity was tied to commerce and farming.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.