Nemours (12,898 habitants), is a town of northern France 80 km. to Paris, in the department of Seine-et-Marne, on the Loing and its canal, 26 m. S. of Melun, on the Paris-Lyon railway.
Nemours is supposed to derive its name from the woods (nemora) in the midst of which it formerly stood, and discoveries of Gallo-Roman remains indicate its early origin. It was captured by the English in 1420, but derives its historical importance rather from the lordship (afterwards duchy) to which it gave its name. In 1585 a treaty revoking previous concessions to the Protestants was concluded at Nemours between Catherine de Medici and the Guises.
The church, which dates mainly from the 16th century, has a handsome wooden spire, and there is a feudal castle. A statue of the mathematician Bezout (d. 1783), a native of the town, was erected in 1885. In the vicinity is a group of fine sandstone rocks, and sand is extensively quarried.
From the square tower of the château (12th century) you can enjoy a superb view of this charming town stretching out on the banks of the Loing. It is very pleasant to take a stroll along the river, and unusual walks are to be had: the surrounding forest contains numerous examples of boulder chaos. The Musée de la Préhistoire d'Ile-de-France will at last reveal all details of our ancestors' daily life.