At the gates of Paris, Courbevoie is a lively city, mainly known for the La Défense district. Although the business district attracts nearly 8 million tourists every year, Courbevoie is not only about that. With several monuments listed in the general inventory of the cultural heritage of France, a few museums and a very large number of works of art, the city has a lot to offer. Discover Courbevoie thanks to the three audio-guided tours available on the JOOKS application!
Small hamlet of fishermen and wine growers in ancient times, Courbevoie developed in the Middle Ages and depended on the parish of Colombes until the end of the 18th century. Its population doubled under the reign of Louis XV when it was transformed into a garrison town. Although the cultivation of vines remained an important activity until the end of the 19th century, the city turned resolutely towards industry thanks to the development of crafts, industry and the railroad. Although the historical heritage of the city of Courbevoie is modest, it remains a notable witness to the city's past over the centuries.
Historical city
Despite its origins dating back to the Gallo-Roman era and a strong expansion in the Middle Ages, the city of Courbevoie has not preserved any vestige of these eras. The First and Second World Wars had a considerable impact on the city's heritage as it was the target of numerous bombings.
However, Courbevoie is home to a number of heritage treasures that are worth a visit. Among the most remarkable is the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, built during the French Revolution, which was classified as a historical monument in 1971. Your walk will also take you to the heart of the Bécon park where you can discover the Roybet Fould Museum, which is in fact the former pavilion of Sweden and Norway, built for the Paris World Fair of 1878. At the other end of the park, you can admire the no less original India Pavilion, also registered as a historical monument.
La Défense district
The largest business district in Europe and the fourth largest in the world, La Défense is a strategic area for the national economy. Developed in the early 1960s, the district is mostly made up of high buildings housing mainly offices. The most famous of these buildings, but also the most emblematic of the district, is certainly the Grande Arche which houses, in addition to offices, a restaurant and a panoramic terrace with a breathtaking view.
But the La Défense district is not only a business district. It is also a university and training center of excellence that welcomes over 45,000 students. In order for tourists, students and employees to enjoy a pleasant environment, several hectares of green spaces have been developed, as well as playgrounds for children, sports areas and petanque courts. Numerous cultural events are also organized throughout the year to bring together residents and visitors: Christmas market, festivals, Telethon...
An open-air museum
In addition to its buildings, schools and green spaces, La Défense has a very large number of permanent works of art scattered throughout the site, but also inside the Quatre temps shopping center or in the RER station. The vast majority of the works are contemporary artworks and have been installed as part of a policy to make the district more attractive.
During your walk, don't miss "La Défense de Paris", which gave its name to the district, or "Le Pouce", by French sculptor César Baldaccini. You can also admire a fragment of the Berlin Wall, a testimony of the Cold War, which was acquired by the city of Courbevoie and installed in front of the Galerie de la Coupole in 1996.
Find all the routes of the city of Courbevoie on the JOOKS application.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Esplanade de la Défense to the Roybet Fould Museum!