Once a hunting resort for French kings. That’s Avenue de Clichy-sous-Bois. Today, it’s a bustling area. It lies 15 kilometers from central Paris. Yet, it remains one of the city’s most isolated inner suburbs.
Clichy-sous-Bois has faced economic challenges. The 2005 civil unrest began here. It later spread nationwide. The area has a high unemployment rate. It hovers around 20%. For those under 25, it’s even higher at 40%.
The name Clichy-sous-Bois evolved over time. It started with Roman Cleppius. Then it became seventh-century Clippiacum superius. By the twelfth century, it was Clichiacum. Flint tools found here date back to the Neolithic era.
In the early Middle Ages, Clichy en Aulnois belonged to the lords of Livry. Later, the Knights Templar took possession. They had a commandery on the road to Coubron. In the 18th century, it was owned by the Duc d’Orléans. By 1820, the village was small. It only had about 150 residents.
A piece of Clichy-sous-Bois became part of Le Raincy in 1869. This also included parts of Livry-Gargan and Gagny.
Clichy-sous-Bois felt the impact of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
The Avenue de Clichy-sous-Bois is not directly served by the Paris Métro. Also not by the RER or suburban rail network. Since 2019, the T4 Tramway provides access. It connects to the Le Raincy station. Before this tramway, getting to central Paris took about 1.5 hours by public transport. A new station is planned. The Clichy-Montfermeil station on Line 16. It is expected to open in 2026.
In 1820, Clichy-sous-Bois barely reached 150 residents. Now, it has nearly 30,000. Over the centuries, the town transformed. It went from a hunting ground to an urbanized area.
During the Middle Ages, Clichy-sous-Bois was known as Clichy-en-Aulnoy. Legend says the Virgin saved three merchants here. They were attacked in the forest of Bondy.
Royal hunting parties frequented these forests.
In 1790, Clichy became a commune. But life remained quiet. Except for disputes with Livry. In 1814, Tsar Alexander of Russia stayed here. He was in one of the town’s châteaux. From there he looked at Paris.
Progress was slow. In the interwar period, Clichy lacked basic amenities. There was no sewage system. Garbage collection was limited. Public lighting was scarce. Yet, the first school of Chêne Pointu was built in 1934. Cows roamed the streets. The Eiffel Tower could be seen from the village’s high points.
After some quiet years came the German occupation. Urbanization increased rapidly after 1955.
Clichy-sous-Bois is a place of contrasts. It has a rich history. Also it faces modern challenges. It’s a suburb striving for a better future.