Melun, Prefecture in Seine-et-Marne, France
Melun is a prefecture in the Seine-et-Marne department located about 45 kilometers southeast of Paris, serving as the administrative center of the surrounding region. It spreads along both sides of the Seine River, with bridges linking the two halves and residential areas mixing with public buildings.
The town served for centuries as a key stronghold along the Seine and played a military role in numerous conflicts. In the 15th century, it held out for weeks against an English siege before eventually falling.
The town sits on both sides of the Seine, and this division still shapes how locals move through the streets and think about their neighborhoods. Each bank developed its own character over time, with residents identifying with their side of the river.
The railway station offers direct connections toward Paris and sits central enough to walk to most parts of town. Several bridges allow crossing the Seine, so visitors can explore both riverbanks without difficulty.
Beneath the streets lie old cellars that date back to Roman times and were later expanded during the Middle Ages. Some of them remain accessible and show stone walls and arches from different centuries.
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