COULOMMIERS

coulommiers, a town of northern france, capital of an arrondissement in the department of seine-et-marne, 45 m. e. of paris by rail. pop. (1906) 5217. it is situated in the fertile district of brie, in a valley watered by the grand-morin. the church of st denis (13th and 16th centuries), and the ruins of a castle built by catherine of gonzaga, duchess of longueville, in the early 17th century, are of little importance. there is a statue to commandant beaurepaire, who, in 1792, killed himself rather than surrender verdun to the prussians. coulommiers is the seat of a subprefect, and has a tribunal of first instance and a communal college. printing is the chief industry, tanning, flour-milling and sugar-making being also carried on. trade is in agricultural products, and especially in cheeses named after the town.