Villeneuve-Saint-Georges is a city in Val-de-Marne, in the Île-de-France region, bordering the Essonne.
Located 15 km south of Paris, the city has developed on the right bank of the Seine and it is on its territory that the Yerres flows into the river.
This localization favorable to exchanges, on an axis leading to the forest of Sénart, contributed to the development of the commune whose hillsides allow the establishment of vineyards reputed since the Middle Ages. A popular stop and a residential town from the 17th century, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges changed its dimensions in the 19th century with the creation of sand pits and especially the arrival of the railway. It is in fact on the northern part of the city that one of the most important railway yards of the Paris region will be built, making the town a railroad city. Metallurgical units are then established.
The population grew from 1,000 inhabitants in the mid-nineteenth century to 5,000 in 1891 and 14,000 after the first war, resulting in the construction of suburban housing estates. After the Second World War, during which the yard was bombed, large groups were built to accommodate new labor flows and the population was still growing with 30,000 inhabitants in 1968. It is now stabilized at around 33,000 and A notable program of requalification of HLM neighborhoods has been initiated.
Equipped with numerous cultural and sporting facilities, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges has also preserved a number of green spaces which, with its historical heritage and the setting of the banks of the Seine, constitute its main asset for visitors.
In the historic heart of the city, several buildings are worth seeing, starting with the church of St. George, built on the bases of an anterior chapel. Thus a part dates from the thirteenth century (choir, capitals) but the base of the bell tower is of the ninth while the Renaissance-style portal dates from the enlargements made in the sixteenth century. Inside, a statue of St. George draping the Dragon, bas-reliefs and paintings are also worthy of interest, as are the baptismal font and the celebrant's armchair, which are classified.
At the level of civil architecture, if the castles of Beauregard (19th century), Belleplace (17th) or Bellevue (17th), were redesigned, divided into lots or even transformed into residences, one will be interested in the current town hall Set in ancient royal stables (XVIIth).
In terms of habitat, a walk in the suburban districts and the later sets allows to understand the evolutions that took place during the 20th century.
In another register, representative of nineteenth-century military architecture, the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges fort covers 11 hectares. It was part of the second fortified belt of Paris built around 1880. It is now occupied by a training center of the Sapeurs Pompiers of Paris. The entrance, the two barracks and the powder stores were well preserved. The site can be visited punctually. Information on +33 1 55 09 16 20.
On another level, the RATP marshalling yard is a real museum as such: the entire collection of rolling stock used in the Île-de-France since the beginning of public transport is kept there (bus Platform and floor, wooden subway trains etc.)! The site is visited during communication operations. Information on +33 1 55 09 16 20.
But a stop at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges also allows you to enjoy many green spaces suitable for walking and hiking! Not only are 4 parks and 5 squares open all year round, but two forest areas, Bois Colbert and Bois des Carrières, behind the fort and the family gardens in the southeast of the town, offer a total of 12 hectares Trees and paths. These woods are directly connected to the Arc Boisé which consists of the forest of La Grange (municipalities of Crosne, Yerres, Villecresnes), the regional forest of Grosbois (Marolles, Boissy-Saint-Léger), The forest of Notre-Dame (Lésigny, Ozoir-la-Ferrière, Roissy-en-Brie, Noiseau). Or a forest complex of more than 3 000 hectares of great richness in terms of biodiversity, accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Animations are scheduled from spring to autumn. For hiking trails, maps and information on +33 1 55 09 16 20.
Still for outdoor activities, the charms of the banks of the Seine (which are the subject of rehabilitation works) have remained conducive to walks and daydreams and a bike path is set up there. Without forgetting the "Tégéval", a 20 km link through the Val-de-Marne department reserved for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists, and which is connected to the Bois Colbert.
For the sportsmen but also the idleness, the nautical center of the city is endowed with a large basin with sunroof and solarium. Entrance: from 2 to 6 euros. Information on +33 1 43 82 14 71. And for a game of tennis, covered courts are available at the Léo-Lagrange gymnasium. Information on +33 1 43 89 46 20.
On the second weekend of May, a festival of choirs bringing together young or not-so-young singers takes place at the theater.
The last weekend of May, the Oh! Organized on the departmental plan always includes events on Villeneuve-Saint-Georges: shows, workshops and fun and educational activities on the theme of water (at the banks of the Seine).
In November, over three weeks, the festival of the Banlieue program encounters and concerts.
Finally, it should be noted that there are two markets at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges: the central market (under the Halle and on Henri-Janin Street), on Wednesday and Saturday morning, and the HBM market, Place Barbusse, on Tuesday and Friday morning.
