Maisons-Alfort

Maisons-Alfort () is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.
Maisons-Alfort is famous as the location of the National Veterinary School of Alfort. The Fort de Charenton, constructed between 1841 and 1845, has since 1959 housed the "Commandement des Écoles de la Gendarmerie Nationale".
Name.
Originally, Maisons-Alfort was called simply Maisons. The name Maisons comes from Medieval Latin "Mansiones", meaning "the houses".
At the creation of the commune during the French Revolution, the name of the hamlet of Alfort was joined with the name of Maisons. The name Alfort comes from the manor built there by Peter of Aigueblanche, Bishop of Hereford (England), in the middle of the 13th century. The name of this Manor of Hereford was corrupted into "Harefort", then "Hallefort", and eventually Alfort. The National Veterinary School of Alfort was settled several centuries later in the manor and its estate.
History.
On 1 April 1885, 40% of the territory of Maisons-Alfort was detached and became the commune of Alfortville.
In 1905, Buffalo Bill stayed two months in Maisons-Alfort while his famous "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show" performed in Paris.
Demographics.
The population data in the table and graph below refer to the commune of Maisons-Alfort proper, in its geography at the given years. The commune of Maisons-Alfort ceded the commune of Alfortville in 1885.
Administration.
Maisons-Alfort is part of the arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Marne. It is the only commune of the canton of Maisons-Alfort.
Education.
The commune has:
International relations.
Maisons-Alfort is twinned with Moers in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Transport.
Maisons-Alfort is served by three stations on Paris Métro Line 8: École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, Maisons-Alfort — Stade, and Maisons-Alfort — Les Juilliottes.
It is also served by two stations on Paris RER line D: Maisons-Alfort – Alfortville and Le Vert de Maisons.