Seine Saint Denis
Seine Saint Denis shines with its dynamism, diversity and contrasts, offering a wide range of opportunities for lovers of history, culture, sport, nature and gastronomy. This department, rich in discoveries and leisure activities, will appeal to all visitors thanks to its variety.
This comprehensive guide is your passport to exploring the Seine-Saint-Denis region, located in the heart of France. Region Ile de France Paris Region: discover its must-see sites, immerse yourself in its rich culture and unique way of life, and benefit from practical advice for a worry-free exploration. Join us on a fascinating journey through the inner suburbs of the Paris region.
Must-sees in Seine Saint Denis
Seine-Saint-Denis, ideally located close to Pariswith its rich and complex past, is dotted with fascinating monuments and historic sites. Discover the most emblematic places to visit in the département.
Historical monuments and sites
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint DenisThis Gothic gem is one of the department's most remarkable historic monuments. Serving as the necropolis of the kings of France, it impresses with its grandiose architecture, dazzling stained-glass windows and fine sculptures.
The Drancy camp represents a dark chapter in history, as the main transit camp for French Jews during the Holocaust. The memorial, witness wagon and Shelomo Selinger monument commemorate the victims.
Le Bourget terminal, France's first civil airport, opened in 1919, and has been the scene of key moments in aeronautical history. Today, it houses the Air and Space Museum, with its impressive collection of aircraft and spacecraft.
Green spaces and leisure
Seine-Saint-Denis offers a multitude of green spaces and leisure activities, ideal for relaxing and reconnecting with nature. These places offer opportunities for walks, picnics, sports and wildlife observation.
Poudrerie Parka former gunpowder production site, is now an enchanting walking area in the heart of a preserved forest, with a museum and cultural and educational activities.
Parc du Sausset, transformed from an agricultural estate into a departmental park, boasts a diversity of landscapes and is home to a rich biodiversity. It's perfect for relaxing and discovering nature.
The recently-developed Corniche des Forts leisure island offers a unique ecological experience with a leisure plain, an eco-pasture area and sports trails, perfect for relaxing with family and friends.
Markets and local life
Reflecting the diversity and cosmopolitan dynamism of Seine-Saint-Denis, local markets are vibrant places of exchange and discovery. They offer a wide variety of fresh, exotic and artisanal products, in a convivial atmosphere.
The Saint-Denis market, the largest and oldest, is a local institution held three times a week, offering a wide range of products in a historic setting.
The Montreuil market, open every day except Monday, is famous for its organic produce, flowers, books and antiques. It's also a venue for public events and debates.
The Bobigny market, typical of the Paris suburbs, offers a varied range of fresh produce, spices and specialties from around the world, at attractive prices, for an authentic and colorful market experience.
Culture and art of living in Seine-Saint-Denis
Rich in cultural diversity, Seine-Saint-Denis shines with its varied festivals, captivating museums, enriching exhibitions and exquisite local gastronomy. Discover below an overview of the treasures to be found in this multi-faceted département.
Festivals and events
Throughout the year, Seine-Saint-Denis is the scene of festivals and events covering a wide range of genres, catering for all tastes. Whether you're a fan of music, cinema, theater, dance, circus or literature, there's something for everyone.
Don't miss these not-to-be-missed festivals and events:
- The Saint-Denis Festival: famous for its classical music concerts held every June and July in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis and other emblematic venues, attracting renowned artists and featuring major works.
- Rock en Seine: a not-to-be-missed event for rock fans, this festival at the end of August at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud brings together the biggest names in international rock and new talent.
- Festival Villes des Musiques du Monde: a celebration of world music and the cultures that bring it to life, this festival offers concerts, shows and workshops from October to November in various towns across the département.
- The Dream Nation Festival: for fans of electronic music, this festival at the end of September at the Parc des expositions Paris Nord Villepinte offers a festive atmosphere with techno, trance, bass and hard music.
- Festival Toiles sous Toile: a film festival held in November in Clichy-sous-Bois under a big top, presenting a selection of films d'auteur, documentaries, short films, animations and meetings with directors and actors.
Museums and exhibitions
Seine-Saint-Denis is home to numerous museums and exhibition spaces reflecting its rich historical, artistic and scientific heritage. These venues offer high-quality permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
A must-see!
- The Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace: located in the Le Bourget terminal, this museum dedicated to the history of aviation and the conquest of space exhibits historic aircraft and spacecraft, as well as offering animations and flight simulations.
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Saint-Denis: housed in a former convent, this museum tells the story of Saint-Denis since antiquity through archaeological objects, works of art, documents and models, enriched by temporary exhibitions.
- Musée d'Histoire Vivante: in Montreuil, this museum traces the history of the workers' movement and social struggles through posters, leaflets, newspapers, photos, films and personal accounts, complemented by temporary exhibitions.
- Frac Île-de-France: this regional contemporary art fund has two exhibition spaces in the département, le Plateau in Paris and les Réserves in Romainville, showcasing contemporary artists and artistic mediation initiatives.
- La Maison des Sciences de l'Homme Paris Nord: this interdisciplinary research center organizes exhibitions, conferences, debates and workshops on the human and social sciences, and boasts a biodiversity garden featuring local species.
Local cuisine and gastronomy
Seine-Saint-Denis, a gourmet department, offers a varied local cuisine and delicious regional specialties such as Brie de Meaux, Méréville watercress, Gâtinais honey and Nemours poppies.
Explore the flavours of the world in these remarkable establishments:
- La Petite Marmite: in Livry-Gargan, this gourmet restaurant offers traditional cuisine revisited and prepared using fresh, local produce, with dishes such as homemade duck foie gras or fillet of beef with pepper sauce.
- Le Père Louis: this bistronomic restaurant in Neuilly-Plaisance offers quality French cuisine, with seasonal produce and estate wines, where you can enjoy salmon tartare, duck breast with figs or tarte tatin.
- Café Balthazar: located in Saint-Denis, this café-restaurant offers authentic, generous cuisine inspired by Parisian tradition and the bohemian spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with classics like croque-monsieur and steak-frites.
- Le Blé Cœur: in Raincy, this restaurant features local and seasonal cuisine, with dishes such as velouté de potimarron (pumpkin velouté) or filet de bar à la crème d'oseille (sea bass fillet with sorrel cream).
- Boulangerie Pâtisserie du Château: this Montreuil bakery and patisserie offers artisan breads, viennoiseries, pastries and chocolates made with quality ingredients, including sourdough bread, butter croissants and raspberry macaroons.
Practical tips for exploring the département
Discovering Seine-Saint-Denis is a rewarding experience, provided you follow a few essential safety and common sense recommendations. These practical tips are designed to help you plan your visit and maximize your experience in this region.
Getting around Seine-Saint-Denis
Seine-Saint-Denis boasts an excellent public transport network, providing easy access to central Paris and the other departments of the Île-de-France region. The metro, RER, tramway, buses and self-service bicycles are all at your disposal. Remember to buy a ticket that meets your travel needs.
Consult the routes and timetables on the RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités websites for more information.
If you choose to travel by car, note that several freeways cross Seine-Saint-Denis (A1, A3, A86, A104), with free or paid parking options in most towns. It is advisable to avoid rush hours, and to observe speed limits and parking regulations. Car-pooling is an interesting alternative, accessible via online platforms or dedicated areas.
Safety tips and best practices
Seine-Saint-Denis is generally safe, but caution is advised. Here are a few recommendations for a safe stay:
- Avoid travelling alone at night in high-risk areas. Don't carry any visible valuables, and limit the amount of cash you carry. Keep a constant watch on your personal belongings.
- In case of emergency, dial 17 for the police, 18 for the fire department or 15 for the ambulance service. Police stations and gendarmeries are also at your disposal.
- Secure your accommodation by locking shutters and doors. Don't leave any sign of your absence, and don't hide your keys outside. Put your valuables in a safe place, such as a safe-deposit box or bank, and insure them.
- Respect the environment and the local heritage by not throwing garbage into nature, by not damaging historic sites and by respecting protected flora. Follow the instructions for green spaces.
- Show courtesy to the locals and respect local cultures. Ask permission before taking photos, avoid offensive language and take part in local events to better understand traditions.
Accommodation
Seine-Saint-Denis offers a variety of accommodation options, to suit all tastes and budgets. Hotels, B&Bs, self-catering cottages, campsites, apartments and rental houses are all available.
- Visit specialist sites such as Booking, Airbnb, Gîtes de France or Camping France to compare offers, read reviews, book online and take advantage of special offers.
- Tourist guides such as Petit Futé, Routard or Guide Vert provide practical information, advice and useful addresses.
- The department's tourist offices can provide information on availability, rates, services and facilities. They can be reached by telephone, e-mail or on site.
- If necessary, the département's social services can help you find suitable accommodation. The social emergency number 115 can also direct you to an emergency shelter.
Seine Saint Denis - Conclusion
It's clear that Seine-Saint-Denis is a department to discoverA surprisingly rich and diverse region. Whether you're a history buff, a culture buff, a nature lover or a gourmet, you'll find plenty to satisfy your curiosity in this land of many dimensions.
So don't delay! Come and discover Seine-Saint-Denis, a department ready to amaze you with its hidden treasures and unforgettable moments. You won't be disappointed!
To prepare for your visit, we recommend that you consult the websites and tourist guides we've suggested, and get in touch with the local tourist offices. They'll be your best source of information and recommendations.
We wish you a wonderful trip and hope to see you soon in Seine-Saint-Denis!
Seine Saint Denis - FAQ
What's the 93 in Paris?
The 93, or Seine-Saint-Denis department, is an area of the Île-de-France region and part of the Greater Paris metropolitan area. Created in 1968, the department is the result of the division of the former Seine department, and lies to the northeast of Paris. It shares its borders with Paris and four other départements: Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise and Seine-et-Marne.
What are the two major cities in Seine-Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis and Montreuil are the two major cities of Seine-Saint-Denis, representing the most densely populated areas of the département, with populations of 113,942 and 111,455 in 2021, respectively. These cities are all part of the Greater Paris Metropolis, and lie to the northeast of the capital.
Who lives in the 93?
The Séquano-Dionysiens are residents of the Seine-Saint-Denis département, identified by the zip code 93. This département, which lies to the northeast of Paris, is one of the areas making up the petite couronne of the Île-de-France region.
Which is the richest city in Seine-Saint-Denis?
Gournay-sur-Marne stands out as the most affluent town in Seine-Saint-Denis, with an average annual tax income of €29,930 per inhabitant. It is closely followed by Le Raincy, where the average per capita tax income is €28,820 per year.
