Discovering Essonne (Department 91)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Located immediately south of Paris in the Île-de-France region, Essonne (Department 91) offers a unique balance between city convenience and greener suburban living. While much of northern Essonne forms part of the Greater Paris metropolitan area, the southern half opens into forests, farmland, charming market towns and peaceful villages.
For English-speaking people considering moving to Essonne, retiring in Essonne, purchasing a second home or establishing a business, the department provides excellent transport connections, a strong economy, outstanding healthcare and education, and easy access to everything the French capital has to offer. It is particularly attractive to professionals, entrepreneurs, commuters and families seeking a high quality of life without living in central Paris.
At a Glance
Feature | Details |
Region | Île-de-France |
Historic name | Part of historic Île-de-France and Hurepoix |
Department number | 91 |
Department capital | Évry-Courcouronnes |
Largest towns | Évry-Courcouronnes, Massy, Corbeil-Essonnes, Savigny-sur-Orge, Palaiseau, Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Étampes |
Population | Approximately 1.3 million |
Area | 1,804 km² |
Climate | Temperate oceanic with warm summers and cool winters |
Best suited for | Professionals, families, entrepreneurs, commuters, students |
Is a car recommended? | Helpful outside urban areas |
English-speaking community | Moderate, especially around business centres and universities |
Lifestyle summary | Modern suburban living combined with green countryside and excellent access to Paris |
Why Choose Essonne?
Lifestyle
Essonne offers one of the widest lifestyle choices in France. You can enjoy modern apartment living close to Paris, family homes in leafy suburbs, or quiet village life surrounded by farmland and woodland.
Many residents appreciate having both city amenities and access to nature within easy reach.
Community
The department is highly diverse, attracting French families, international professionals, researchers and students. Areas around Massy, Palaiseau and Saclay have particularly international populations thanks to universities and technology companies.
While English is not widely spoken in everyday life, international communities make settling in easier than in many rural departments.
Scenery
Although often overlooked, Essonne has plenty of attractive countryside.
Highlights include:
Regional natural parks
Forests
Rivers including the Seine, Essonne and Orge
Walking and cycling routes
Traditional villages
Agricultural landscapes
The southern half feels surprisingly rural considering its proximity to Paris.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of Essonne's greatest strengths.
Residents benefit from:
Direct rail services into Paris
Access to major motorways
Paris-Orly Airport
Charles de Gaulle Airport within reasonable distance
Extensive public transport
This makes commuting or travelling internationally straightforward.
Food
Being close to Paris means access to exceptional food markets, restaurants and international cuisine.
Local products include:
Honey
Fresh vegetables
Apples
Artisan cheeses
Traditional French bakeries
Local beers
Weekly markets remain an important part of community life.
Culture
Essonne combines modern cultural venues with historic châteaux, medieval churches and traditional French market towns.
The department also hosts concerts, theatre, exhibitions and festivals throughout the year.
Property
Property varies enormously.
You can find:
Modern apartments
Family houses
Historic townhouses
Rural cottages
Country properties
Prices are generally lower than central Paris but significantly higher than much of rural France.
Pace of Life
Northern Essonne has a fast-paced metropolitan feel, while southern towns enjoy a slower rhythm more typical of provincial France.
This flexibility is one of the department's biggest attractions.
Essonne Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Excellent healthcare and services, although property can be expensive near Paris. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding schools, parks, transport and employment opportunities. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Better suited for regular use than holiday homes. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong economy, innovation hubs and excellent business infrastructure. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent broadband, transport and flexible housing options. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Forests, parks, cycling and walking provide plenty of recreation. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Paris is easily accessible while avoiding central city living. |
Popular Places to Live
Évry-Courcouronnes
Description
The department's administrative capital and a major modern urban centre.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Students
Advantages
Excellent public transport
Shopping
Universities
Healthcare
Employment
Things to consider
Modern architecture may not appeal to everyone.
Massy
Description
One of Essonne's most connected towns, popular with commuters and international professionals.
Ideal for
Remote workers
Families
Business owners
Advantages
TGV station
Fast Paris access
Strong employment market
Things to consider
Property demand keeps prices relatively high.
Palaiseau
Description
Home to leading research centres and universities within the Paris-Saclay innovation cluster.
Ideal for
Researchers
Technology professionals
Entrepreneurs
Advantages
Highly educated population
International environment
Excellent facilities
Things to consider
Limited rural character.
Corbeil-Essonnes
Description
Historic riverside town with good transport and a mixture of old and modern neighbourhoods.
Ideal for
Families
First-time buyers
Advantages
Historic centre
Good amenities
Better value housing
Things to consider
Some districts are more desirable than others.
Étampes
Description
A historic market town surrounded by countryside in southern Essonne.
Ideal for
Retirees
Families
Rural commuters
Advantages
Attractive architecture
Markets
More affordable homes
Slower pace
Things to consider
Longer commute to Paris.
Dourdan
Description
A beautiful medieval town famous for its château and forest.
Ideal for
Retirees
Nature lovers
Families
Advantages
Historic atmosphere
Excellent walking
Community feel
Things to consider
Fewer employment opportunities locally.
Gif-sur-Yvette
Description
Popular with academics and professionals working in the Saclay scientific community.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Advantages
Green surroundings
High-quality schools
Excellent transport
Things to consider
Property prices are among the department's highest.
Cost of Living
Compared with central Paris, Essonne offers noticeably better value while still benefiting from metropolitan services.
Property affordability
Housing costs vary significantly.
Northern towns close to Paris are considerably more expensive than southern rural areas. Buyers seeking larger homes often find far better value than within the capital.
Shopping
Supermarkets are plentiful, ranging from discount chains to premium retailers. Local markets provide fresh produce, cheese, meat and baked goods throughout the week.
Utilities
Utility costs are generally comparable with the French national average, although apartment service charges can add to monthly expenses.
Eating out
There is a huge choice, from traditional cafés to international restaurants. Dining costs vary widely depending on proximity to Paris.
General value for money
For those working in Paris, Essonne often represents excellent value by combining lower housing costs with easy commuting.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is one of Essonne's strongest advantages.
Main hospitals
Major hospitals include facilities in:
Évry-Courcouronnes
Corbeil-Essonnes
Longjumeau
Orsay
Juvisy-sur-Orge
Residents also have easy access to specialist hospitals throughout Paris.
Healthcare availability
Most towns have GPs, dentists and physiotherapists, although waiting times for some appointments can vary.
Access to specialists
Excellent due to proximity to Paris and the department's own medical centres.
Pharmacies
Every town has pharmacies, with larger towns offering extended opening hours.
General healthcare considerations
Healthcare standards are excellent, making Essonne particularly reassuring for retirees and families.
Education
Education is another major strength.
Schools
The department has numerous highly regarded public and private schools.
Colleges
Many vocational colleges and sixth-form institutions serve local students.
International options
Several bilingual and international schools are available nearby in the Greater Paris area.
Language schools
French language courses are widely available through local associations, universities and adult education centres.
Getting Around
Airports
The department enjoys exceptional air connections.
Nearby airports include:
Paris-Orly Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (via road and rail)
Rail
Extensive rail services include:
RER B
RER C
TGV services from Massy
Regional TER connections
Roads
Major routes include:
A6
A10
N20
Francilienne (N104)
Public transport
Public transport is excellent throughout northern Essonne and remains good across much of the department.
Is a car recommended?
Within northern urban areas, many residents comfortably live without one. In southern villages and rural communities, a car becomes much more practical.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Évry-Courcouronnes | Tuesday & Saturday |
Massy | Thursday & Sunday |
Corbeil-Essonnes | Tuesday, Friday & Sunday |
Étampes | Tuesday & Saturday |
Dourdan | Wednesday |
Palaiseau | Thursday & Sunday |
Arpajon | Friday |
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois | Wednesday & Saturday |
Local Food & Drink
Essonne offers a mixture of regional produce and Parisian culinary influence.
Specialities include:
Brie cheeses from nearby Île-de-France
Fresh orchard fruit
Apples and cider
Honey
Artisan bread
Charcuterie
Seasonal asparagus
Fresh market vegetables
Local craft beers
Traditional French pâtisserie
Things to Do
Historic sites
Château de Dourdan
Château de Chamarande
Medieval churches
Historic town centres
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
Horse riding
Canoeing
Golf
Fishing
Museums
Several museums cover local history, science and contemporary art.
Festivals
Annual events celebrate music, food, heritage and local culture across the department.
Nature
Highlights include:
Gâtinais Français Regional Natural Park
Forest of Sénart
Forest of Dourdan
River valleys
Public parks and gardens
Family attractions
Families enjoy:
Adventure parks
Swimming centres
Sports complexes
Nature reserves
Science centres
Easy day trips into Paris
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
Learning French will greatly improve day-to-day life, although international business areas often have more English speakers.
Rural living
Southern villages offer peace and space but may require a car for everyday errands.
Internet
High-speed broadband and fibre coverage are excellent across most urban areas, with continuing expansion into rural communities.
Seasonal tourism
Unlike many holiday regions, Essonne experiences relatively stable year-round activity.
Climate
The climate is generally mild with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool rather than severe, while summers are warm but usually comfortable.
Community life
Local markets, sports clubs, cultural associations and community events provide plenty of opportunities to integrate into French life.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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