Villeneuve-la-Garenne is a town in the Hauts-de-Seine in the Île-de-France region, north of Paris (less than 10 km from the center of the capital).
The commune is located at the "east" end of the peninsula of Gennevilliers, on the left bank of the Seine.
Villeneuve-la-Garenne was officially created only in 1929. Until then, it was initially a hamlet (or remained fishermen) and then a district dependent on Gennevilliers.
From the middle of the 19th century, the site of Villeneuve-la-Garenne becomes popular with walkers and Parisians in search of change of scenery and artists who immortalize this green landscape, such as Sisley. Guinguettes settle down along the Seine. The development of bridges on the river then led to the beginning of industrialization, with shipyards but also pharmaceutical laboratories, automotive and metallurgical plants.
Now autonomous, Villeneuve-la-Garenne has 4,000 inhabitants before the Second World War. Like most localities of the small crown, its urbanization intensified in the years 1950 and 1960 to reduce the lack of housing. There are now more than 25,000 inhabitants.
Nevertheless, the city has lost nothing of its old-world charm, whether it is thanks to the banks of the Seine, the Chanteraines departmental park and its 70 green hectares or to the many cultural and leisure activities that can be practiced in the city.
The "youth" of the city does not allow to discover a very ancient architectural heritage, but several buildings are worth the detour. In the heart of the city, houses and mansions of the nineteenth century are to be seen, or the buildings of the current music school, or some old factories, in another register, which testify to the industrial architecture of the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.
Saint Joseph's Church built in 1931 in the place of a chapel will not be forgotten. A sculpture by the sculptor Georges Serraz is on the façade.
However, a walk in Villeneuve-la-Garenne will mainly include the green spaces and the banks of the Seine, where there are shipyards dedicated to the maintenance of barges.
On an area of 70 hectares, the departmental park of Chanteraines offers wooded, rural and aquatic areas. Ideal for walking, it is dotted with games for young children and lawns where lazing is possible.
In the park there is a pedagogical farm whose architecture evokes the farms of the Vexin. Visit and discover the animals of the farm and a vegetable garden. Information on +33 1 41 21 88 12.
An equestrian center is also located in the park. For horseback riding, please call +33 1 40 85 86 26.
A small train also runs the park for 5 km, connected to the RER network. In service from March to November on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Information on +33 1 40 85 86 20.
For any other questions concerning the park, please call +33 1 41 21 88 13.
Other squares or "walks" can mark a route in the city: Leclerc park, the green castle linking the departmental park to the Seine, the Alfred Sisley wharf (with its marina) and the Quai d'Asnières, the square Jean Moulin, square Abbé-Pierre or the walkway that crosses the city from north to south.
For larger excursions at departure or including Villeneuve-la-Garenne, including following specific itineraries for two-wheeled vehicles, please call +33 1 46 96 92 92.
For the sports enthusiasts, the swimming pool offers ponds and solarium. Price: 4,80 € for adults, 3,50 € for children under 16, free for children under 3 years old. Information on +33 1 47 98 18 63.
The city is one of the few in the Paris region to propose the discovery or practice of scuba diving in a multi-depth basin (up to -20 meters), the "Fosse Aqua 92". Diving Baptism: 25 €. Supervision provided. For further information, please call +33 1 40 85 81 28.
In a different genre, you can discover at Circus Micheletty all disciplines such as trapeze, juggling or acrobatics. Daily or weekly courses for young and old. Contact the +33 1 47 99 40 40.
Finally, note that the cinema André-Malraux offers family sessions, screenings for young audiences and educational workshops. Programming and information on +33 1 47 98 40 48.
In January, Villeneuve-la-Garenne is one of the Hauts-de-Seine cities to host the Träce festival, which organizes concerts by musicians and groups coming from the department.
In February, the festival Ka'navalesk offers concerts and animations of Caribbean inspirations, the benefit of which is paid to humanitarian associations.
On the Sunday following the school year, the forum of associations takes place in the form of three themed villages at the Center sportif Philippe Cattiau.
Finally, to discover the specialties of the Ile-de-France region, go to rue Henri-Barbusse where the market is held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays in the morning.
