town, Essonne département, Île-de-France région, northern France. It lies along the Juine River, about 28 miles (45 km) south of Paris. The town in medieval times was a stronghold and preserves several architectural remnants of those times, including a 12th-century donjon, the tower of Guinette, several churches (Saint-Basile, Notre-Dame du Fort, Saint-Gil, and Saint-Martin), a town hall, and private houses. Étampes is a busy commercial centre set in a fertile countryside and has diversified industries, including metallurgy, food processing, and other manufactures. Pop. (1999) 21,839; (2005 est.) 23,300.