Nanterre, France

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Nanterre, France

Region: Hauts-de-Seine


Geographic Coordinates: 48.898800, 2.196900
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 96807
Language: French

Nanterre is a charming commune situated in the western suburbs of Paris, France. The town has a rich history dating back to Roman times when it was known as Nemetodurum. It is currently home to around 95, 000 people and is renowned for its lively atmosphere and vibrant culture. One of the main attractions in Nanterre is La Défense, Which happens to be Europe’s largest business district. La Défense boasts some of France’s most iconic skyscrapers such as Tour Total, Tour First, And Tour EDF.

The district also features an impressive collection of modern art sculptures including works by Alexander Calder and Joan Miró. Another popular attraction in Nanterre is Parc André Malraux. This beautiful park spans over 30 hectares and includes a lake where visitors can rent paddle boats or enjoy a picnic on the grassy banks. There are also numerous walking trails throughout the park that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

For those interested in history, Nanterre has several museums worth visiting such as Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Colombes which showcases local art and artifacts from ancient times until contemporary artists’ work today. Another museum worth visiting includes Musée Roybet Fould which explores French decorative arts from 1850-1925.

Foodies will be delighted with Nanterre’s culinary scene which features traditional French cuisine alongside international options such as Italian trattorias or Japanese sushi restaurants like Sushi Shop or Yaki Soba. for those who love shopping, There are plenty of options available in Nanterre including Les Quatre Temps shopping center – one of France’s largest malls with over 230 stores – or Rue de la République where you can find many independent boutiques selling unique clothing items. Nanterre offers something for everyone – whether you’re interested in history or modern art, Outdoor activities or shopping.

Its location just outside of Paris makes it an ideal destination for those looking to explore the French capital while still enjoying a more relaxed and authentic atmosphere.



Important Landmarks

  1. La Défense is a modern business district in Paris, known for its iconic skyscrapers and large shopping mall.
  2. Parc André Malraux is a beautiful park with gardens, fountains, and sculptures.
  3. Nanterre Cathedral is a historic Catholic church dating back to the 12th century.
  4. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Nanterre showcases the history and art of the city.
  5. Théâtre des Amandiers is a contemporary theatre that hosts plays, dance performances, and concerts.
  6. Jardin des Tourneroches is a peaceful garden with walking paths and a playground for children.
  7. Eglise Sainte-Geneviève de La Folie is another historic church known for its architecture and stained glass windows.
  8. Maison de la Musique de Nanterre is an arts center featuring music concerts, exhibitions, and workshops.
  9. Université Paris-Nanterre is one of France’s top universities located in the heart of the city.
  10. Les Quatre Temps Shopping Center is one of France’s largest shopping centers with over 250 stores spread across four floors.

Primary Industries

  1. Information technology and software development: Nanterre is home to several IT companies, including Capgemini, Atos, and Sopra Steria.
  2. Financial services: Many banks and financial institutions have their headquarters or offices in Nanterre, including Société Générale, BNP Paribas Securities Services, and AXA.
  3. Education: The University of Paris Nanterre is located in the city and attracts many students from around the world.
  4. Healthcare: Several hospitals and healthcare facilities are located in Nanterre, including Hôpital Max Fourestier.
  5. Retail: There are several shopping centers located in Nanterre such as Les 4 Temps mall which is one of the largest shopping centers near Paris.
  6. Manufacturing: Some manufacturing companies operate within or near the city limits such as Thales Alenia Space which specializes in satellite manufacturing.
  7. Sports entertainment: The U Arena stadium hosts various sports events throughout the year such as rugby games or concerts by popular artists like Ed Sheeran or Beyonce & Jay-Z.

Noteable History

  1. May 1968 protests: The Nanterre campus of the University of Paris was one of the epicenters of the student protests that swept across France in May 1968.
  2. Nicolas Sarkozy: The former President of France studied law at the University of Paris-Nanterre in the late 1970s.
  3. La Défense: Nanterre is home to La Défense, Europe’s largest business district and a major hub for international corporations.
  4. Pablo Picasso: The famous artist lived in Nanterre during World War II, where he created some of his most iconic works.
  5. Jean-Paul Sartre: The philosopher and writer taught at the University of Paris-Nanterre in the early 1960s.
  6. Battle of Alma Bridge: During the Franco-Prussian War, a battle took place near Alma Bridge in Nanterre between French and Prussian forces.
  7. Jacques Chirac: The former President of France served as mayor nearby Courbevoie from 1977 to 1995, which borders on Nanterre.
  8. Parc André Malraux: This large park located in central Nanterre is named after French author André Malraux and features a lake, gardens, and sports facilities.
  9. Louis-Ferdinand Céline: This controversial writer was born in Courbevoie but spent much time living and working in nearby towns such as Neuilly-sur-Seine and Suresnes, both bordering on Nanterre.
  10. Renault factory strike: In May-June 1947 workers at Renault’s factory located near Boulogne-Billancourt (adjacent to Nanterre) went on strike demanding better wages and working conditions – this event marked an important moment for post-war labor movements in France.

Museums and Things To See

  1. La Défense is a modern business district with impressive architecture and public art installations.
  2. Musée d’Histoire Locale showcases the rich cultural heritage of Nanterre in a local history museum.
  3. Parc André Malraux offers beautiful walking trails, gardens, and outdoor sculptures in a serene park setting.
  4. Théâtre des Amandiers hosts contemporary plays, concerts, and other cultural events throughout the year.
  5. Église Sainte-Geneviève de Nanterre is a historic church dating back to the 12th century.
  6. Maison de la Musique de Nanterre is a music center that hosts concerts and other musical events throughout the year.
  7. Jardin des Tourneroches provides peaceful respite with fountains, statues, and beautiful views of the city skyline in its garden setting.
  8. Pavillon Vendôme is an elegant 17th-century mansion that now serves as an art gallery showcasing contemporary works by local artists.
  9. Château de La Folie Saint-James is an impressive castle built in the 19th century surrounded by beautiful gardens open to visitors during summer months.
  10. Fondation Arp houses a museum dedicated to Jean Arp’s work showcasing his sculptures and paintings.


Sports Teams

  1. Nanterre 92 Basketball Club: This professional basketball team was founded in 1987 and plays in the French top-tier league, LNB Pro A. The team has won numerous titles including the French Cup in 2014 and the FIBA Europe Cup in 2017.
  2. Racing Club de France Football: Founded in 1882, this football club played its home matches at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir until it closed down in 2013. The club won six French championships between 1896 and 1936.
  3. Nanterre Athletic Club: This athletics club was established back in 1920 and has produced many Olympic medalists over the years, including Marie-José Pérec who won three gold medals at the Barcelona Olympics.
  4. Nanterre Rugby Club: Established in 1965, this rugby union club plays its home matches at Stade Pascal Laporte and competes in the Fédérale division of French rugby.
  5. ASPTT Nanterre Volleyball: This volleyball club was founded back in 1978 and competes both at amateur and professional levels. The women’s team has won several national titles including four consecutive championships between 2009-2012 while the men’s team currently participates only in regional level competitions.


Cultural Events

  1. Festival Chorus: A music festival featuring a range of genres including pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music.
  2. Fête de la Musique: A nationwide celebration of music taking place on the summer solstice.
  3. Nanterre en Fête: An annual street fair with rides, games, food stalls and live entertainment.
  4. Les Rencontres Cinématographiques de Nanterre: A film festival showcasing independent and foreign films.
  5. Festival des Arts Urbains: An urban art festival featuring graffiti artists, breakdancers and other street performers.
  6. La Nuit Blanche de Nanterre: An all-night arts event with installations, performances and exhibitions throughout the city.
  7. Les Journées du Patrimoine: A national heritage weekend where many historical buildings are open to the public for free visits in September each year.
  8. Marché des Potiers de Nanterre: A pottery market held every year in June where local potters showcase their work for sale to visitors from all over France and beyond.

Cuisine

  1. La Table du Boulanger – a bakery and restaurant known for its traditional French pastries, breads, and savory dishes.
  2. Le Petit Nanterre – a cozy bistro serving classic French dishes such as escargots, coq au vin, and crème brûlée.
  3. L’Atelier des Augustins – a trendy restaurant offering modern French cuisine with creative twists on traditional dishes.
  4. Le Clos des Roses – a charming restaurant located in an old farmhouse that serves seasonal produce and regional specialties such as duck confit and ratatouille.
  5. Chez Nino – a family-owned pizzeria that has been serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza since 1976.
  6. Le Moulin de la Galette – an upscale brasserie specializing in seafood dishes such as oysters, lobster bisque, and grilled fish.
  7. Au Vieux Chêne – a rustic tavern known for its hearty meat dishes such as beef bourguignon and roasted lamb shank.
  8. La Belle Équipe – a lively bar-restaurant with live music performances serving burgers, salads, sandwiches etc..

Parks and Recreation

  1. Parc André Malraux is a vast park that boasts a lake, gardens, sports facilities, and walking paths.
  2. Parc des Anciennes Mairies is a serene park that offers green spaces and playgrounds for children to enjoy.
  3. Jardin des Tourneroches is a small garden equipped with benches and walking paths.
  4. Complexe sportif du Mont-Valérien is an extensive sports complex featuring tennis courts, football fields, and a gymnasium.
  5. Piscine Olympique de Nanterre is an Olympic-sized swimming pool open to the public for recreational swimming.
  6. Patinoire de Nanterre-Arena is an indoor ice rink offering public skating sessions.
  7. Cinéma Les Lumières showcases current films in multiple languages at their cinema hall.
  8. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Nanterre houses local history and art exhibitions at their museum facility.
  9. Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers hosts plays, concerts, dance performances, and other cultural events throughout the year at their theater venue.
  10. Centre Aquatique du Chemin-de-l’Île features water slides, wave pools, saunas, steam rooms among other aquatic amenities at their center facility.

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