Boynes was the world capital of saffron

France was for more than five centuries a major producer of saffron, particularly in the Gatinais region. The town of Boynes established itself as the world capital of this spice and dictated prices with the Pithiviers market for nearly 300 years. In 1789, the commune alone produced 30 tons of saffron, which represented up to 180 million harvested flowers.