Saint-Fons facts for kids
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Saint-Fons is a city in France, located right next to the larger city of Lyon. Around 15,000 people call Saint-Fons home. The city's name might sound like it's linked to a saint, but it's actually not! Its name comes from the many fountains or springs found nearby.
Originally, the area was called Cent Fonts, which means "100 sources" or "100 fountains." This name eventually changed to the Saint-Fons we know today. The city became separate from Vénissieux in the mid-1800s. A big reason for this split was the growth of the chemical industry in the area.
What's in a Name?
The name Saint-Fons has a cool story! It doesn't come from a religious saint as you might think. Instead, it's all about water! Long ago, there were many natural springs and fountains in this area. People used to call the place Cent Fonts, meaning "one hundred sources" or "one hundred fountains." Over time, this name changed and became "Saint-Fons." So, the city's name is a reminder of its watery past.
A City's Beginning
Saint-Fons wasn't always its own city. It used to be part of a nearby town called Vénissieux. In the middle of the 19th century, around the 1800s, Saint-Fons officially separated and became its own independent city.
A major reason for this change was the rise of the chemical industry in the area. Many factories and businesses that worked with chemicals started to grow in Saint-Fons. This made the area important and busy enough to become its own city.
See also
- In Spanish: Saint-Fons para niños
