Gentilly, Val-de-Marne


Gentilly is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is the closest commune to Paris, located from the city center.

Name

The name Gentilly was recorded for the first time in the 6th century as Gentilly, a royal estate of some importance where coinage was minted. The etymology of the name seems to be "estate of Gentilius", a Gallo-Roman landowner. However, some other researchers think that the name is connected with Latin gentilis in reference to foreign goldsmiths who may have settled in Gentilly in the Early Middle Ages.

History

On 1 January 1860, the city of Paris was enlarged by annexing neighboring communes. On that occasion, about half of the commune of Gentilly was annexed to Paris, and forms now the neighborhoods of Maison-Blanche and Glacière, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
On 13 December 1896, about half of the remaining territory of Gentilly was detached and became the commune of Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, leaving Gentilly with about a quarter of its pre-1860 area.

Culture

The famous photographer Robert Doisneau was born in Gentilly. There is a Maison de la photographie Robert Doisneau an international cultural center for humanist photography.

Transport

Gentilly is served by Gentilly station on Paris RER line.

Education

Gentilly is served by: