ARGENTEUIL

argenteuil, a town of northern france in the department of seine-et-oise, on the seine, 5 m. n.w. of the fortifications of paris by the railway from paris to mantes. pop. (1906) 17,330. argenteuil grew up round a monastery, which, dating from a.d. 656, was by charlemagne changed into a nunnery; it was afterwards famous for its connexion with heloise (see abelard), and on her expulsion in 1129 was again turned into a monastery. asparagus, figs, and wine of medium quality are grown in the district; and heavy iron goods, chemical products, clocks and plaster are among the manufactures.