A commune of nearly 30,000 inhabitants, Cachan is located in Île-de-France, in the Val-de-Marne department. It is only two kilometers from Paris, bordering Bagneux, Arcueil, Villejuif and Bourg-la-Reine.
Populated since Prehistory, the territory of Cachan developed from Roman times, near an aqueduct bridge. Since the XVIth century, the Ile-de-France has been heavily influenced during the Hundred Years' War, but it has become a popular walkway for its vestiges and landscapes. Formerly a simple district of Arcueil, the city of Cachan was officially born in the 1920s.
Since this separation, Cachan has continued to grow in terms of inhabitants and buildings, becoming one of the most appreciated cities of the near Parisian suburbs. Very active culturally, it also has an important historical heritage which allows to learn a little more about the traditions and the evolution of this commune full of interest.
The only commune in the Seine department without a church, Cachan built Sainte-Germaine between 1929 and 1935. Still active, it allows to admire a fresco by Marthe Flandrin. The building is distinguished, among other things, by its rod-shaped weather vane. You will not fail to admire the Saint-Jean church built in the mid-1930s. It has two bows of different sizes topped by a tower and has a bell tower isolated from the rest of the building.
Installed on the site of the Special School of Public Works, the Eyrolles house takes its name from a former mayor of Cachan at the origin of its construction. Built at the end of the 19th century, it features several elements classified to Historical Monuments such as facades, roofs, dining room, hall or reception room.
The city hall of Cachan dates back to 1935. Called in cubic and angular shapes, it is partly decorated for its facades, the council hall, the staircase of honor and the hall of the pas-perdus. Of Jaulmes de Gustave Jaulmes, an artist known for his achievements in the city of Architecture and Heritage.
As you walk through the city, you will be able to appreciate different listed or listed buildings such as the Renaissance House, the Raspail Foundation, the Laundry and the Saint Joseph House.
The city of Cachan has preserved several vestiges of the previous centuries, like the remains of the old Gallo-Roman aqueduct that supplied the thermal baths of Lutetia, or the aqueduct bridge of the Vanne. It is also possible to discover the Medici aqueduct commissioned by Queen Mary of Medici or the aqueduct of Loing and Lunain.
Cachan has a preserved natural environment, as evidenced by the many green spaces of the city. Raspail Park with its orangerie and bamboo plantations, with a panoramic garden offering a breathtaking view of the city and Paris, or one of the many squares landscaped. Since the 2000s, the commune has benefited from four flowers in the competition of towns and villages in bloom in France.
The weekly market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays morning. The town also offers a Christmas market in December with entertainment.
Organized by the students of the ENS of Cachan, the festival the senses of Art highlights the living arts. For a whole week in January, it is possible to attend screenings of short films, dance, improvisation, theater, circus and humor shows. Sunday is traditionally reserved for children.
A festnoz is organized in March.
Each March, the literary prize of the ENS of Cachan is awarded by a jury of fifteen Normians.
Every two years in May, Cachan proposes its biennale of contemporary art with exhibitions and different animations during four weeks.
In October, place at the harvest festival of Cachan with animations on the winery, pickings, pressing of the grape or a fanfare to animate the day.
Between November and December, place at the African film festival Africa on Bièvre, with projections and meetings.