Happy TravellerLes Ulis is a charming commune located in the Essonne department in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. This new town sits on the Courtabœuf plateau, which dominates the Yvette valley, also known as the Chevreuse valley. Les Ulis is conveniently located just 23 km from the center of Paris, making it an ideal destination for travelers who want to explore the City of Light while staying in a peaceful, residential area.
Les Ulis is laid out in the form of a U, covering 680 hectares, approximately three kilometers by two kilometers. Over 65% of the area is built-up, 17% is semi-rural, and 16% is either rural or comprises communal green space. The town is divided into distinct neighborhoods by the main roads running through it.
One of the town’s most notable features is its unique architecture. Built according to the precepts of Le Corbusier by architects Robert Camelot, François Prieur, and Georges-Henri Pingusson in the 1970s, Les Ulis is known for its 33 HLM tower blocks, grouped into four neighborhoods, raised on slabs so that they are accessed above street level by means of pedestrian walkways. Despite the industrial zone to the east, Les Ulis is characterized by its green spaces, including a large urban park to the north.
Transportation in Les Ulis is easily accessible. Line B of the RER runs through the Chevreuse, and local bus services give access to the train stations at Orsay and Bures-sur-Yvette. Les Ulis finds itself at a significant meeting point of motorways, and the most significant of these, the route nationale 118, meets the route nationale 104 at an interchange on the communal border with the town of Marcoussis.
Les Ulis has a rich and storied history. During the Roman era, villas rustica occupied the Courtabœuf plateau. One, the Villa Bona, gives its name to nearby Villebon-sur-Yvette. The area was at one time wooded but was cleared during the Middle Ages. The name Ullys is first recorded as that of a feudal fee in a monastic inventory of 1382. In 1712, this land is recorded as belonging to Charles Boucher, an important Parisian civil servant.
Les Ulis is home to several notable individuals, including retired football player Thierry Henry, Manchester United football player Anthony Martial, and football player Patrice Evra. The former spokesman of the ecological French party, Stéphane Pocrain, was raised in Les Ulis and was almost elected for the town’s constituency in 2002. Gilbert Bayiha NDjema, footballer Tristan Dingome, footballer Moussa Marega, footballer Patrice Vigier, self-taught luthier, and founder of Vigier Guitars, was originally from Les Ulis.
The economy of Les Ulis is thriving, and it is home to the biggest industrial area (tertiary) in Europe, Parc d’Activité de Courtabœuf, which spreads over three communes: Les Ulis, Villebon-sur-Yvette, and Villejust, covering an area of 378 hectares and employing over 24,500 people. Many companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Apple have their French head offices in this area.
Les Ulis is twinned with several cities around the world, including Naumburg, Germany; Sátão, Portugal; Sédhiou, Senegal; and Thetford, England, United Kingdom. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply looking to explore a new destination, Les Ulis is a must-visit.
