Bsantiard Dsc06972From the industrial revolution to major urban renewal projects, the region has been a veritable field of urban experimentation, particularly in terms of housing: Cités jardins in Stains and Epinay-sur-Seine, post-war housing estates in all towns, with some particularly striking examples in Aubervilliers, Saint-Denis and La Courneuve, cities adapted to climate change with the Athletes’ Village in Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine and L’Île-Saint-Denis…
Cite Jardins Stains
2412 Cpp Cite Du Cinema Cam02 0000From the second half of the 19th century onwards, the area underwent strong industrialization, thanks to its proximity to Paris and good transport links (Seine, Canal Saint-Denis, railroads, etc.).
Having become one of the largest industrial zones in Europe, the area boasts many sites that illustrate this: the former Manufacture des allumettes, now the Institut national du Patrimoine, or Magasins généraux in Aubervilliers, Médiathèque Aimé Césaire, the former Mécano factory in La Courneuve, the “Cathédrales du Rail” Christofle silverware factory or Cité du cinéma in Saint-Denis…
From the Foires du Lendit to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis, cradle of Gothic architecture in France, from the cloister of the Musée d’art et d’histoire Paul Eluard to the many archaeological treasures showcased in the region’s towns and cities, Plaine commune is home to some of France’s most historic landmarks. It has always been a place of architectural creation, and has undergone a particularly strong revival since the beginning of the 21st century: national archives, Athletes’ Village, Olympic aquatic center, Saint-Denis Pleyel train station, Pleyel urban crossing and so many other remarkable sites, most of which can be visited.
Franchissement Urbain Pleyel 1
Img 20200812 104919In addition to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis, the region is renowned for the diversity of its spiritual heritage: Notre-Dame des Vertus church, dating from the 17th century, in La Courneuve, Notre-Dame des Missions church in Epinay-sur-Seine, the former Catholic missions pavilion built for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition, Joncherolles cemetery in Villetaneuse and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, whose landscaped grounds are the work of architect Robert Auzelle, or the Parisian cemetery of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, where numerous artists and sportswomen are buried, including Alphonse Allais, Lily Laskine, Suzanne Lenglen and Suzanne Valadon. Last but not least, part of the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route runs through the area.
