Meudon
Meudon is a commune in the Hauts-de-Seine department within the Île-de-France region of France, positioned approximately 10 kilometers southwest of central Paris on the left bank of the Seine River.[1][2] The area features a mix of residential neighborhoods, extensive green spaces, and historical estates, including remnants of royal hunting grounds utilized by Louis XV and Louis XVI.[3] Meudon is notably home to the Meudon Observatory, established in 1876 by Jules Janssen as a dedicated facility for physical astronomy and astrophysics, which developed pioneering techniques in solar observation and spectroheliography.[4][5] As of 2025 estimates, the commune has a population of around 46,000, supporting a blend of suburban living with access to scientific institutions and proximity to the French capital's economic hub.[6]Geography
Location and Administrative Context
Meudon is a commune situated in the Hauts-de-Seine department within the Île-de-France region of France, serving as a southwestern suburb of Paris approximately 9 kilometers from the city center.[7][8] The commune's geographical coordinates are approximately 48.8138° N latitude and 2.2350° E longitude.[9] Covering an area of 9.90 square kilometers, Meudon lies on the left bank of the Seine River, with its northern boundary adjacent to the waterway.[10][11] Administratively, Meudon falls under the arrondissement of Boulogne-Billancourt and has been integrated into the Métropole du Grand Paris, an intercommunal authority encompassing 131 communes, since its establishment on January 1, 2016.[12][13] Neighboring communes include Boulogne-Billancourt to the north across the Seine, Sèvres to the northwest, and Clamart to the southeast, delineating its urban boundaries within the densely populated Parisian periphery.[14]
Physical Features and Climate
Meudon occupies hilly terrain on the south bank of the Seine River, with elevations rising from near river level—approximately 27 meters above sea level—to an average of 107 meters across the commune.[15] The landscape features the prominent terrace of Meudon, which overlooks the Seine valley, and extends southward into densely wooded areas that shape local drainage patterns.[16] The Bièvre valley, a tributary system influencing regional hydrology, borders parts of the area, contributing to subsurface water flow despite much of the stream being channeled or covered. The Forêt de Meudon, a major green space exceeding 1,000 hectares, dominates the southern topography, providing extensive woodland cover that moderates local microclimates and supports biodiversity amid the urban proximity.[2] This forested expanse, combined with the commune's undulating relief, historically directed settlement toward elevated plateaus while exposing lower zones to Seine-related flood risks; notable inundations occurred during the 1910 event, when river levels surged across the Paris basin, impacting south-bank locales like Meudon.[17] Meudon exhibits a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb), characterized by mild winters, cool summers, and year-round precipitation. Annual average temperatures hover around 12°C, with July highs reaching 24°C and January lows near 3°C, per long-term records.[18] Precipitation totals approximately 650 mm annually, distributed fairly evenly but peaking in autumn, influenced by westerly Atlantic flows.[19] The Parisian urban heat island effect elevates local temperatures by 1-2°C relative to rural benchmarks, exacerbating heat during summer peaks while green areas like the Meudon Forest offer localized cooling.[18]Demographics
Population Dynamics
The population of Meudon stood at 46,722 inhabitants as of the 2022 census, reflecting a density of 4,719 inhabitants per square kilometer across its approximately 9.9 square kilometers of land area.[20] This marks a continuation of steady growth from the post-1999 low, with the figure rising from 45,328 in 2016, an average annual increase of 0.65%.[20] Historical census data illustrate a pattern of expansion followed by contraction and recovery, as detailed below:| Year | Population | Average Annual Growth Rate (Previous Period, %) |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 50,623 | - |
| 1975 | 52,806 | 0.6 |
| 1982 | 48,450 | -1.2 |
| 1990 | 45,339 | -1.0 |
| 1999 | 43,663 | -0.8 |
| 2006 | 44,745 | 0.4 |
| 2011 | 45,010 | 0.1 |
| 2016 | 45,328 | 0.1 |
| 2022 | 46,722 | 0.6 |