Le Kremlin-Bicêtre is a city in Val-de-Marne, in the Île-de-France region, bordering the south of Paris by the Porte d'Italie.
The commune was created in 1896 when the districts of the Kremlin and Bicêtre were detached from Gentilly and merged.
Bicêtre was born in the thirteenth century when land from the valley of Bievre was given to his cook by Louis VIII. The estate was subsequently acquired by the bishop of Winchester, Jean de Pontoise, who built a castle there, reinstated in the royal domain in 1346.
Having suffered the outrages of time, the building is razed by Richelieu who founded a hospice there in the seventeenth century. At the beginning of the 19th century, veterans of the Napoleonic armies were welcomed there. A cabaret is opened in the vicinity under the sign "Au sergent du Kremlin", in memory of the Russian campaign...
The district has found its new name, to which will be added that of Bicêtre, phonetic heritage of Winchester. Meanwhile Parisian workers have settled in these suburbs of the capital, and quarries of limestone and clay are exploited.
At its inception, the city already has 10,000 inhabitants. During the 20th century, new industries were established and urbanization intensified on the small municipal territory (1.5 km²).
In recent years, there has been a policy of requalification of the heart of the city and the renovation of housing, the creation of cultural and leisure facilities and the preservation of a park close to what has become the Bicêtre Hospital Of CHU), to the north of the commune, made it possible to restore the image of the city of more than 26 000 inhabitants. The city is a pleasant stopover for those visiting Paris and its suburbs.
In terms of architectural heritage, the Kremlin-Bicêtre has three buildings: the hospital, which still includes some buildings dating from the 17th century, but also and especially the town hall, built in 1903 and inscribed on the complementary list of monuments (Notably the monument to the dead, made in 1920 in the form of a glass roof) and the military fort of Bicêtre, erected under Louis-Philippe, and part of a defensive structure comprising 16 fortifications around the capital. Always occupied by the Ministry of Defense, it can only be visited during Heritage Days.
Adjacent to the hospital, Philippe Pinel Park is the green lung of the city. In addition to wooded areas, there are lawns, playgrounds, equipment for skate and roller skaters, and a city stadium (for the friendly practice of football, basketball, volleyball...).
In the summer, there are facilities for children and teenagers (sand, inflatable games) and artistic and sporting activities.
For hikes including the main sites of the city or from it, brochures and information at +33 1 55 09 16 20.
For the sports enthusiasts, the swimming pool offers an Olympic swimming pool and facilities allowing the practice of aquabike, in particular. Admission: 2 and 3,10 euros. Information on +33 1 43 90 38 50.
For tennis lovers, training wall and courts are available Boulevard Chastenet-de-Géry. Price for non-residents: 4 euros per hour. Booking on +33 1 45 15 55 55.
From the end of January to the middle of February, the city welcomes concerts organized by the André-Malraux space as part of the Sons d'Hiver festival, which takes place throughout the department.
In the odd-numbered years, in March, performances of the Val-de-Marne dance biennale are given to the André-Malraux space.
On the first weekend of June, the Epitanime Convention organized by the Epita school of engineers offers an awareness of Japanese culture and challenges related to video games.
On the occasion of the Music Festival (June 21st and the following days), "Finally! Les Beaux Jours" program at Pinel Park and in the city center concerts, dance shows, street theater. All appointments are free.
On the 1st Saturday of September, the Fête de la Ville offers artistic, playful and convivial meetings and animations. The big stage is installed Place de la République, as well as an associative village.
Finally, for gourmets and gourmets, a rich market takes place avenue Eugène-Thomas and Place de la République every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 am to 2 pm and Sundays from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
For amateurs, on the Place Jean-Baptiste Clément, a very lively and popular collectors' market (philately, postcards, objects of all kinds) is held on Tuesdays from 8 am to 6 pm.