CORBEIL-ESSONNES

town, Essonne dpartement, Paris region, north central France, at the confluence of the Seine and Essonnes rivers, just southeast of Paris. Corbeil and Essonnes, formerly separate towns, were united in 1951. Corbeil (ancient Corbilium) has a 14th-century gate and the medieval church of Saint-Spire (originally an abbey). An independent county in the Carolingian period, it was annexed to France by Louis VI in 1108 and was probably the birthplace of William of Corbeil, archbishop of Canterbury (112336). A treaty between Louis IX of France and James I the Conqueror of Aragon was signed there in 1258. Industrial development includes flour and paper mills, printing plants, and foundries. The flour mills are among the most important in France; railway equipment, electronics, printing, and paper manufacturing also contribute to the economy. A new town is under construction at nearby Evry. Pop. (1982) 37,741.