Hugging the right bank of the River Seine, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges is a sprawling commune in the south-east of Paris. It developed as a road transport hub during the Middle Ages before the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. Over time, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges evolved into one most important rail yards in the French capital.
Things to do in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges
In the heart of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges is the Paroisse Saint Georges, with the oldest part of the church dating back to the 12th century. It features a Renaissance-style portal and a statue of St. George defeating the dragon, as well as bas-reliefs and paintings depicting Biblical scenes. The Paroissse Saint Georges lies on the edge of leafy Parc de Beauregard.
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges encompasses the southern part of Parc de Choisy Paris Val De Marne, which provides a setting for a variety of recreational activities. In addition to playing tennis, soccer and volleyball, you can take advantage of the walking and cycling paths. There are several playgrounds for children to enjoy, as well as areas for skateboarding and rollerblading.
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges makes an excellent base for visiting the Château de Grosbois, a centuries-old castle that is open to the public on guided tours. Wander through its period-furnished rooms, where memorabilia from the Berthier family is exhibited alongside paintings depicting battles in which Louis-Alexandre Berthier played a role. Don’t miss the dining room decorated with 17th-century frescoes by Abraham Rose.
Getting around Villeneuve-Saint-Georges
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Paris and 40 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains stop at the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges railway station and buses travel throughout the commune.