Send Gift Baskets to Mantes-la-Jolie, France

Mantes was halfway between Rouen, the capital of the Dukes of Normandy, and Paris, the capital of the Kings of France. The Hundred Years’ War changed hands frequently in this region and most of northern France. 14 July 1223 was the date of Philip Augustus’ death at Mantes.

Mantes became the center of brass and woodwind instrument manufacturing after Louis XIV instituted the manufacture of musical instruments there. Corot, whose paintings of the bridge and cathedral are celebrated, was attracted to the city in the 19th century. The ballet Chout was orchestrated by Prokofiev there during the summer of 1920.

Known initially as Mantes-sur-Seine (meaning “Mantes upon the Seine”), Mantes merged in 1930 with Gassicourt to form Mantes-Gassicourt.

General Patton’s 3rd Army crossed the Seine at Mantes on 19 August 1944, the first allied bridgehead. Following the war, the city needed to be rebuilt extensively.

The commune of Mantes-Gassicourt was officially renamed Mantes-la-Jolie (meaning “Mantes the pretty”) on 7 May 1953, about a letter addressed to Gabrielle d’Estrées, who lived in Mantes, by King Henry IV: “I am on my way to Mantes, my pretty” (French: je viens à Mantes, ma Jolie).