Ablon
ABLON: Village on the left bank of the Seine, about 9 m. s. of Paris,
noteworthy as the place where public worship was first conceded to the Protestants
of Paris. Notwithstanding the edict of Nantes (May 2, 1598), the Protestants of
the capital were not allowed a church within the city itself, but had to travel
to Ablon. In 1602 they petitioned the King for a place nearer the city, alleging
that during the winter forty children had died from being carried so far for baptism.
In 1606 their petition was granted and the church was removed to Charenton, at the
junction of the Seine and Marne, six or seven miles nearer the city. The toilsome
and sometimes dangerous “expeditions” to Ablon are often spoken of by Sully and
Casaubon.