Pontoise () is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the "

new town New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

" of Cergy-Pontoise.

Administration

Pontoise is the official '' préfecture'' (capital) of the Val-d'Oise ''

département In the administrative divisions of France, the department (french: département, ) is one of the three levels of government under the national level ("territorial collectivities"), between the administrative regions and the communes. Ninety- ...

'', although in reality the ''préfecture'' building and administration, as well as the department council (''conseil général''), are located in the neighboring commune of Cergy, which is regarded as the ''de facto'' capital of Val-d'Oise. Pontoise is also the seat of the Arrondissement of Pontoise. The ''

sous-préfecture A subprefecture is an administrative division of a country that is below prefecture or province. Albania There are twelve Albanian counties or prefectures, each of which is divided into several districts, sometimes translated as subprefecture ...

'' building and administration, unlike the ''préfecture'', are located inside the commune of Pontoise.

Sister cities

The city of Pontoise has three sister city relationships with: * Böblingen, Germany since 1956 * Sevenoaks, United Kingdom since 1964 * Geleen, Netherlands since 1962

Security

Known for being a violent city in the late 20th century, with a criminal rate of 137.62 incidents per 1000 inhabitants, Cergy-Pontoise has enjoyed a significant decrease in violence in the first decade of the 21st century. By 2008, the rate had declined to 99.87, although this is still considered high. That rate has continued to decline in the second decade.

History

Pontoise is the historical capital of the Vexin français. Its foundation dates from Roman times (''Pontisara''). At that time, the rock peak overhanging the river

Oise Oise ( ; ; pcd, Oése) is a department in the north of France. It is named after the river Oise. Inhabitants of the department are called ''Oisiens'' () or ''Isariens'', after the Latin name for the river, Isara. It had a population of 829,419 ...

supported the defense of the fort which was on the

Roman road Roman roads ( la, viae Romanae ; singular: ; meaning "Roman way") were physical infrastructure vital to the maintenance and development of the Roman state, and were built from about 300 BC through the expansion and consolidation of the Roman R ...

, the

Chaussée Jules César Chaussée Jules César was a Roman road linking Lutetia (Paris) and Rotamagus (Rouen). The road's construction was initiated by the Roman governor Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Linking two important cities of Roman Empire in Gaul, the road possessed inn ...

, between ''

Lutetia The Gallo-Roman town of ''Lutetia'' (''Lutetia Parisiorum'' in Latin, in French ''Lutèce'') was the predecessor of the modern-day city of Paris. It was founded in about the middle of the 3rd century BCE by the Parisii, a Gallic tribe. Trace ...

'' (

) and ''Rotomagus'' (

Rouen Rouen (, ; or ) is a city on the River Seine in northern France. It is the prefecture of the region of Normandy and the department of Seine-Maritime. Formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, the population ...

). The road still exists and is now part of the N14 from Paris to Rouen. It is also known to many people as the birthplace of the alchemist Nicholas Flamel. With an over 2,000 year legacy, Pontoise still has vestiges of the past, such as medieval lanes, convents, churches and museums, and was awarded the "City of Art and History Label" in 2006. The impressionist painter Camille Pissarro made it famous through many paintings which are present nowadays in the most famous art galleries in the world.

Climate

Pontoise has a

oceanic climate An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate, is the humid temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification ''Cfb'', typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool summers and mild winters ...

(

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, nota ...

''Cfb''). The average annual temperature in Pontoise is . The average annual rainfall is with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in July, at around , and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Pontoise was on 1 July 2015; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 1 January 1997.

Demographics

Immigration

Transport

Pontoise is served by Pontoise station, a terminus on Paris RER line C and an intermediate terminus for suburban trains originating from Gare Saint-Lazare as well as a terminus for suburban trains from

Gare du Nord The Gare du Nord (; English: ''station of the North'' or ''Northern Station''), officially Paris-Nord, is one of the six large mainline railway station termini in Paris, France. The station accommodates the trains that run between the capit ...

. Some trains originating at Gare Saint-Lazare continue onto

Gisors Gisors () is a commune of Normandy, France. It is located northwest from the centre of Paris. Gisors, together with the neighbouring communes of Trie-Château and Trie-la-Ville, form an urban area of 13,915 inhabitants (2018). This urban area i ...

. For bus services, Stivo (formerly Services des Transports de l'Agglomération Nouvelle) operates within the

of Cergy-Pontoise, and in and around Pontoise, with transport interchanges situated Place Charles de Gaulle and Parking Canrobert.

Pontoise – Cormeilles Aerodrome Pontoise Aerodrome or Pontoise – Cormeilles Aerodrome (french: Aérodrome de Pontoise - Cormeilles) is an airport located northwest of Pontoise in Boissy l'Aillerie near Cormeilles-en-Vexin, all communes of the Val-d'Oise department in the � ...

is the area airport.

Education

Public preschool through elementary schools include:Les établissements scolaires
" Pontoise. Retrieved on6 September 2016. *Seven preschools (maternelles''): des Cordeliers, Eugène-Ducher, de l'Hermitage, Laris, Ludovic-Piette, Jean-Moulin, Parc-aux-Charettes *Two primary schools: École primaire Gustave-Loiseau and École primaire des Maradas *Seven elementary schools (''élémentaires''): Paul-Cézanne, Eugène-Ducher, de l'Hermitage, des Larris, Jean-Moulin, Ludovic-Piette, Parc-aux-Charrettes Public senior high schools/sixth-form colleges: *

Lycée Camille Pissarro Pontoise In France, secondary education is in two stages: * ''Collèges'' () cater for the first four years of secondary education from the ages of 11 to 15. * ''Lycées'' () provide a three-year course of further secondary education for children between ...

Lycée Alfred Kastler de Cergy-Pontoise Lycée Alfred Kastler de Cergy-Pontoise is a senior high school located in Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France, in the Paris metropolitan area, serving both Pontoise and Cergy.CergyCollèges et lycées
" Cergy. Retrieved 6 September 2016. "Lycée polyvalent A. Kastler ..6 avenue de la Palette, sur la commune de Pontoise " There are also six private schools:

École Saint-Martin-de-France École may refer to: * an elementary school in the French educational stages normally followed by secondary education establishments (collège and lycée) * École (river), a tributary of the Seine flowing in région Île-de-France * École, Savoi ...

(up to senior high school), École "Ella", École Saint-Louis, Établissement Vauban, Notre-Dame-de-la-Compassion (junior and senior high school)

Culture

Pontoise is one of the capitals of the impressionist movement. Many painters took as a starting point the city and its area for the creation of landscapes. Camille Pissarro lived there for seventeen years. Other artists lived or worked in the area such as

Vincent van Gogh Vincent Willem van Gogh (; 30 March 185329 July 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who posthumously became one of the most famous and influential figures in Western art history. In a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks, inc ...

( Auvers-sur-Oise), Paul Cézanne,

Paul Gauguin Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (, ; ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French Post-Impressionist artist. Unappreciated until after his death, Gauguin is now recognized for his experimental use of colour and Synthetist style that were distinct fr ...

Charles-François Daubigny Charles-François Daubigny ( , , ; 15 February 181719 February 1878) was a French painter, one of the members of the Barbizon school, and is considered an important precursor of impressionism. He was also a prolific printmaker, mostly in etchin ...

, Gustave Caillebotte, Gustave Loiseau, etc.

Main sights

* Cathédrale Saint-Maclou de Pontoise. It was built in the 12th century and reconstructed and enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries. The tower, as well as the central portal, is in

flamboyant Flamboyant (from ) is a form of late Gothic architecture that developed in Europe in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance, from around 1375 to the mid-16th century. It is characterized by double curves forming flame-like shapes in the bar-t ...

style. The central body is flanked by

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass id ...

additions. The remaining 12th century part of the cathedral is to the back. To the North of the building is a

portal. * Musée de Pontoise (Musée Tavet-Delacour). The museum houses sculptures from the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

, manuscripts from the seventeenth century and paintings from the twentieth century * Musée Pissarro ( Impressionist collections) and garden of the five senses. The Museum is situated in a

bourgeoise The bourgeoisie ( , ) is a social class, equivalent to the middle or upper middle class. They are distinguished from, and traditionally contrasted with, the proletariat by their affluence, and their great cultural and financial capital. The ...

house at the entrance of the old castle.

Parks and recreation

Parks: *Le Jardin de la Ville *Le Parc des Larris *Le jardin partagé de Marcouville *Le Jardin des Cinq Sens *Le Parc du Château de Marcouville *Les jardins et la terrasse basse du Dôme *Le Jardin des Lavandières *Plaines de jeux

Notable people

* Sébastien Carole (b. 1982), footballer *

Yarouba Cissako Yarouba Cissako (born 8 January 1995) is a French professional footballer who plays as a right-back. Club career Cissako is a product of AS Monaco's academy. During the 2014–15 season, he played on loan for Belgian side Zulte Waregem in the B ...

, footballer *

Koumba Cisse Koumba is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Jean Koumba (born 1983), basketball player from the Republic of the Congo *Justin Koumba (born 1947), Congolese politician See also *Tales of Amadou Koumba ''Tales of Amadou Koumba' ...

handball player * Nicolas Flamel (c. 1340-1418), reputed alchemist, probably born here *

Jérémy Labor Jérémy Labor (born 19 March 1992) is a French professional footballer who plays for Championnat National 2 club Toulon. Traditionally a centre-back, he can also be utilized on the side. He is a former France youth international, having re ...

(b. 1992), footballer *

Christophe Lebon Christophe Lebon (born 8 November 1982) is a French swimmer who specialises in the 100 meter butterfly and the 200 meter butterfly. Lebon competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olym ...

(b. 1982), swimmer * Luc Loubaki, basketball player * Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859-1938), Father of modern speleology *

Guiday Mendy Guiday Mendy (born May 18, 1986 in Pontoise, France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americ ...

(b. 1986), basketball player *

Aly Ndom Aly Ndom (born 30 May 1996) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC. Career Reims Ndom helped Reims win the 2017–18 Ligue 2, helping promote them to the Ligue 1 for the 2018– ...

, footballer * Camille Pissarro, painter *

Yoann Rapinier Yoann Rapinier (born 29 September 1989 in Pontoise, France) is a French triple jumper of Martiniquan Martinique ( , ; gcf, label=Martinican Creole, Matinik or ; Kalinago: or ) is an island and an overseas department/region and single ...

, athlete * Jacques Vallée, author, ufologist and former astronomer * Jean-Éric Vergne, former Formula One driver currently competing in Formula E * St

William of Pontoise William of Pontoise was a Benedictine hermit. He lived at Pontoise, France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and t ...

, hermit * Rabbi Moses of Pontoise, 12th-century disciple of

Rabbeinu Tam Jacob ben Meir (1100 – 9 June 1171 (4 Tammuz)), best known as Rabbeinu Tam ( he, רבינו תם), was one of the most renowned Ashkenazi Jewish rabbis and leading French Tosafists, a leading ''halakhic'' authority in his generation, and a gr ...

and mentioned in several

Tosafot The Tosafot, Tosafos or Tosfot ( he, תוספות) are medieval commentaries on the Talmud. They take the form of critical and explanatory glosses, printed, in almost all Talmud editions, on the outer margin and opposite Rashi's notes. The auth ...

. * Moussa Dembélé (French footballer), footballer * Liza del Sierra, pornographic actress. * A famous religious sister, Blessed Marie de l'Incarnation (1566-1618), formerly known as Madame Acarie, the foundress of the Reformed Carmelites in France, lived, died and was buried here in the Carmelite Monastery. *

(d. 1192), medieval Benedictine *

Yacine Qasmi Yacine Qasmi ( ar, ياسين قاسمي; born 3 January 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club CD Leganés. Born in France, he represented Morocco at youth international level. After one substitute appeara ...

, moroccan footballer

References

External links

Pontoise official websiteTourism in Pontoise
{{Authority control Communes of Val-d'Oise Subprefectures in France Cergy-Pontoise Val-d'Oise communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia