Hugging the River Seine, Clichy is a commune north-west of Paris that was built atop the Gallo-Roman remains of Clippiacum. Once the capital of the Merovingians, it is now home to leafy parks, fascinating museums and the headquarters of one of the world’s biggest beauty brands, L’Oreal.
Things to do in Clichy
One of Clichy’s most significant architectural landmarks is the Maison du Peuple de Clichy, which was constructed in the 1930s. It was designed to host cultural events and festivities and it encompassed a 500-seat cinema and a theatre. With its panels and retractable floor, it was cutting-edge for its time and has been referred to as “a perfect example of harmony between modernity and modernisation”.
West of Clichy is the Parc des Impressionnistes, a five-hectare green space on the former grounds of the Paris gasworks. It is named for the painters who passed through the district in the late 19th century, including Paul Signac, Georges Seurat and Vincent Van Gogh. The park features a natural meadow and an arboretum planted with more than 30 species of exotic trees.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to Palomano, which describes itself as a “city on the scale of children”. Through interactive exhibits, then can step into the shoes of an airline pilot, save lives as a firefighter or chat with customers while working as a supermarket cashier. Palomano is a short walk from the Pavillon Vendôme, which houses temporary exhibitions about Clichy’s cultural and artistic heritage.
Getting around Clichy
Clichy is a 20-minute drive from the centre of Paris and 25 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains stop at the Clichy-Levallois railway station and metro services connect to the Mairie de Clichy station.