Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a town in Essonne, in the Île-de-France region, 25 km south of the capital.
A former farm in Gallo-Roman antiquity, legend has it that it was on the site where the city was developed that in 448 St. Genevieve made a spring spring from which the water had the miraculous power to heal children.
Simple village surrounded by forests until the beginning of the 20th century, the town being known only as a relay and stage on the road of the Midi and South-West, the city developed considerably after the First war, passing of 900 inhabitants In 1921 to 10,675 in 1946 and to more than 35,000 today.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is embedded in the urban fabric of the Paris region and 90% of its small territory (9.2 km²) is made up of subdivisions and multi-family dwellings. Beyond that, geographers believe that one enters the peri-urban areas of Île-de-France.
The city has entered history for having hosted in 1963 the first hypermarket in France. Other zones of commercial and commercial activities have since been established. Having nevertheless preserved an authentic city center and an interesting historical heritage, with many parks and gardens and rich cultural life (notably thanks to the Nureyev Center dedicated to dance), Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois deserves to be visited.
Among the heritage sites worth visiting, during a visit to the city, we will first mention the "Donjon", which regroups in a park several historical buildings of different periods including a large round tower, of the period Medieval, which gave its name to the whole. Around this "donjon", a stable and dwellings of the eighteenth century, and moat and an old wash house. The whole is now enhanced and renovated, and the park laid out for visitors.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is also famous for its Russian Necropolis, which includes a square-shaped Orthodox church, topped by a green roof with a blue bulb symbolizing the globe, built before the Second World War, and a cemetery where Russian emigrants and their descendants. To date, there are more than 4000 graves.
The Catholic church for its part was built in 1876. The previous one, dating from the eighteenth century, had been damaged by lightning. In 1992, stained glass windows were placed on the windows.
The founding symbol of the city, the cave, which in its present state dates from the 18th century, will not be forgotten. The spring that flows there would be that which Genevieve made spring in the year 448 when she went to the front of the bishop of Troyes. Some time later, an epidemic raging in the town of Essonnes, the inhabitants sought the saint who relieved them with the water of the spring. Since then, a pilgrimage takes place here on the second Sunday after Easter. Ex-voto and a statue of the eighteenth century are the testimony.
In the city center, one will linger again in front of the Town Hall built in 1935 adjoining the garden of amenity of the old castle. Imposing by its size and roof that adorns an impressive reinforced concrete framework, the building is an example of bold technical architecture... From the same time date the Donjon market, renovated in 2003 and adorned with frescoes.
Note also the residence that Soufflot, general intendant of the royal buildings, built in 1757. In the nineteenth century, the facade was renovated and clad in red stones.
More recent, the Columns of Peace, inaugurated in 1995. They are made of bricks on which the inhabitants have their names engraved.
The Nureyev Art Center, which is also a contemporary dance school, is a conservatory that trains future dancers and offers workshops and shows throughout the year. Information on +33 1 60 16 03 11.
Despite intense urbanization, the city has preserved many green areas suitable for walking.
First of all, the site of the "Greenhouse" dungeon was built in 1979. It is classical in appearance and represents a technological prowess that has combined 16 tons of steel and 13 tons of glass.
The Châtaigneraie park, a vestige of the old Séquigny forest, was once the center of activity and fairs. Its fragile ecosystem prompted the authorities to organize only one-off exhibitions. As for Bois des Trous, east of the city, it is the lung of the city, especially since the integration of an additional 48 hectares in this complex, part of which is located in the territory of Fleury-Mérogis.
In the town itself, the Pablo Neruda park, where trees of varied species are planted, are also to be found. Sculptures and pétanque grounds were also installed. There is also Park Pierre (around the air center), which houses an animal park, and the Park of the banks of the Barley (a strip of 1700 m long and 150 m wide along the course of the river, Dotted with woods and meadows) which makes the joggers happy.
For lovers of hiking, circuits including these different points of the historical or natural heritage of the city and which can even continue beyond the communal territory are possible. Maps, brochures and information on +33 1 69 46 80 00 or +33 1 64 97 36 91.
Finally, the nautical area and its indoor or outdoor pools (in the summer season) make it possible to reconcile sport and relaxation (entry from 6.45 euros, information +33 1 69 25 59 95) while several city stadiums mark the city To practice all types of sporting and recreational activities (information on +33 1 69 46 80 00).
