Gennevilliers is a north western suburb of
Paris. It is located 9.1 kilometres from
Paris’ centre.
Gennevilliers is the site of the main river port of
Paris on the Seine River. It is mainly an industrial community manufacturing aircraft equipment, electrical products, radio tubes and cars. Due to its proximity to
Paris and the good transport links it is popular with commuters and visitors wanting to visit
Paris but stay outside of the centre.
Gennevilliers has everything you would expect in a modern suburb including good hotels and restaurants.
Neolithic remains have been found in the area as well as coins dating from the Gallo-Roman era, giving evidence of a long and continuous settlement in this area. Until industrialisation in the 19th century
Gennevilliers was an agricultural region dotted with windmills and watermills, devoted to its agricultural needs. Unfortunately the mills have disappeared from the landscape but live on in the street names in the town, for example the Rue de Moulin de Cage.
Gennevilliers became a Parish in 1302 and its oldest monument is the church St Mary Magdalene dating from 1650.
Industrial development came relatively late to
Gennevilliers due to its isolation in the loop of the Seine but with the arrival of railways in 1909 industrialisation began and several large companies including car manufacturers settled in the area, bringing expansion and prosperity.
During the second World War
Gennevilliers suffered badly at the hands of the Germans. The town’s mayor was shot by the Nazis in 1941 and more than seventy people were killed for their opposition to the invading forces.
After the second World War people from other parts of France and from most countries in Europe and North Africa arrived to settle in the area attracted by the increasing employment opportunities. At the same time a major expansion plan was undertaken, modernising the town and creating new housing developments.
