City of Seine-Saint-Denis located about fifteen kilometers from the major economic centers of Paris, Roissy and Marne-la-Vallée, Montfermeil takes place near the Raincy, Villemomble and Clichy-sous-Bois.
Offering a unique green setting with its twenty hectares of forest, Montfermeil takes place on a territory populated since the Neolithic. The town is probably born in the course of the twelfth century and suffered some time after the throes of the Hundred Years War that leaves it ruined and depopulated. Subsequently, it is developing again and gradually attracts Parisians resort. But it is Victor Hugo, with his Misérables, which gives its nobility to the city in the nineteenth century.
Today, the city enjoys its proximity to the capital, and reveals to visitors a rich architectural and historical heritage, as well as a great cultural activity.
Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church was desecrated and closed to the French Revolution. Sold as a National Good at the same time, it was completely rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century. Today, you can admire a neoclassical facade made of stone, carved Gothic capitals of the 13th century and the beautiful Calvary of François Rude built in the mid-nineteenth century. Classified as an historic monument, the latter presents a Christ on the cross surrounded by the Virgin and Saint John. The building also unveils very beautiful stained glass windows from the 19th century, as well as several listed objects, listed or in the general inventory of cultural heritage such as baptismal fonts in black marble of the seventeenth century, the confessional of the eighteenth, the statue of Saint Vincent or still a memorial slab covering the urn of the heart of Jean Hyacinthe II Hocquart Lord of Montfermeil.
While strolling in the city or its surroundings, you will be able to admire the mill of Sempin, a windmill of the beginning of the XIXe century opened with the visit, the wash-house and the fountain Lassaut, the Mansion dating from the Restoration or the House of the mulberry. The Jean Valjean fountain takes its name from Victor Hugo's famous work and was restored in the 1960s.
Classified as an historic monument, the Petit Château dates from the first half of the 17th century and now houses an EPA for teenagers aged 14 to 18.
Purchased by the city in the 1990s, the Cedars castle was built by Néret in the seventeenth century and is now open to the public. Do not miss to discover the house of Funck-Brentano built under the First Empire and once inhabited by Frantz Funck-Brentano, historian and member of the Institute.
Located in the Maison de l'Horloge, a building listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments, the Museum of Labor unveils a collection of objects and tools from the past. About fifty trades are represented around the professions of the forest, crafts, agriculture, building or women's trades.
To enjoy sunny days, head to the arboretum opened in 2007 which presents a collection of trees and shrubs from around the world on more than ten hectares. The city also has other green spaces very pleasant like the Parc des Ormes classified Natura 2000.
Fans will be able to visit the first archery company founded in the first half of the 19th century.
The weekly markets are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the morning. A Christmas market is proposed in December with animations.
In February, place to the parade Culture and Creations which federates about forty nations around fashion. Information at the Cultural Service, 1 Boulevard Hardy, at +33 1 41 70 10 60.
In June, the town offers its famous sound and light labeled Quality by the French Federation of festivals and historical shows. Information from the service "Sound & Light" at +33 1 41 70 32 64.
From June to July, the Montfermeil Art 'festival is held at the Cedars Castle, which features many shows.
For the national day, July 14, Montfermeil offers a popular dance and fireworks at the Sempin mill.
Every first or second weekend of September, M'ta celebrates with its parade of floats, dancing and many other family events.