La Courneuve is a city of Seine-Saint-Denis, in the Île-de-France region, less than 10 km northeast of central Paris.
Until the middle of the nineteenth century, it was a simple village that had been founded by Abbot Suger and depended on the nearby abbey of Saint-Denis. Vegetable crops make its reputation, the production being sold at the halls of Paris.
From 1850, industrial units were established (chemistry, metallurgy) and after the First World War, a first wave of urbanization was emerging via a residential habitat.
The growth of La Courneuve intensified in the 1960s with the construction of large ensembles, including the famous so-called 4000 city, as it comprises 4000 dwellings within a restricted perimeter.
However, the city, which now has nearly 40,000 inhabitants, has initiated a policy of requalification of its districts and it continues to highlight its natural heritage, the Georges Valbon departmental park, which occupies nearly half of its territory, representing 400 Hectares of green space devoted, in particular, to leisure activities. It is the main attraction of the city, which has also preserved its ancient architectural heritage. With economic tourism (company visits) and cultural vitality, this makes La Courneuve a city that deserves to be discovered beyond the negative clichés that have long tarnished its image.
At the level of the built heritage, a visit of La Courneuve must include the church of Saint Lucien, rebuilt in 1580 on the bases of a building of the twelfth century destroyed during the wars of Religion. Inside, you will linger in front of a remarkable wooden calvary. In the crypt, Merovingian sarcophagi are also preserved.
An example of a contemporary sacred architecture, the church of Saint-Yves dates back to the 1930s. One notices its pointed bell tower and inside, red bricks covering the structure in reinforced concrete. Stained glass windows by Roger Bateau and contemporary statues, including an Art Deco-style Joan of Arc, contrast with the sobriety of the place, which also benefits from high-quality acoustics.
In a different register, at the crossroads of Quatre-Routes, one can stop in front of the Memorial of the Resistance due to Shelomo Selinger, inaugurated in 1987.
Another contemporary work, the monumental fresco of the painter Mentor, which lines the theater of the Guy-Môquet cultural center. While in the town hall, the marriage hall is adorned with murals by Jean Amblard (three panels on the themes of music and dance and a fourth which depicts the Republic and its children).
To prepare a visit to the main heritage sites of the city, including a discovery of its large housing complexes in the process of rehabilitation, brochures and information on +33 1 49 15 98 98.
To appreciate the market gardening past of La Courneuve, one stage is possible at the old house of culture 11 rue de l'Abreuvoir where conservatory gardens can be visited. Information on +33 1 49 15 98 98.
In terms of economic and industrial tourism, visits can be made to the sites of Babcock & Wilcox (boilers), a factory established in 1867, Johnson (machine tools), established in 1907, or Mecano (tooling), a unit built in 1914. In a different but equally informative genre, the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (70 km of documents!) Can also be opened to the public. Information and reservations on +33 1 49 15 98 98 or +33 1 49 92 61 76.
It is time then to discover the vast departmental park Georges Valbon and its 400 hectares fully landscaped. It is the third green space of the capital and its close crown after the woods of Boulogne and Vincennes. Its fauna (birds) and its flora are remarkable and make it a conservatory in terms of biodiversity. A good example is its rose garden where there are 15 000 rosebushes belonging to a hundred species flourishing from June to September. The site lends itself to many walks by the ways, small lakes and playgrounds. The course is organized all year round (eight courses), jogging (several marked trails) and a sports course. Naturalistic animations are also programmed very regularly. Plan and information on +33 1 43 11 13 07 or +33 1 43 11 13 00. The park is also suitable for equestrian activities. A dedicated center is located there. Information on +33 1 48 38 62 63.
For the sports enthusiasts, the Béatrice Hess swimming pool is open all year round (admission: 1,50 euro, information +33 1 43 11 83 00) except from the first weekend of July to the first weekend of August Which operation La Courneuve-Plage settles in the park of Liberty (southern part of the city).
To rent a tennis court at the Géo-André stadium or Gymnase Guimier (indoor), please call +33 1 49 92 60 80.
From mid-March to mid-April, La Courneuve hosts the Rencontre des Jonglages festival, dedicated in particular to circus arts. Information on +33 1 49 92 60 54.
On the last Sunday in June, a flea market on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville.
The second weekend of September, over three days, the festival of Humanity offers concerts, cultural meetings, exhibitions and debates on a part of the Georges Valbon departmental park.
Finally, note that a lively market takes place on Tuesdays, Fridays, Sunday in the morning, place of May 8, 1945, renewing with the town's market history...
