In 1898, a metal giant stirred to life on Rue des Usines Babcock. The American company Babcock & Wilcox, known for its industrial boilers, relocated its French operations to La Courneuve. Rue des Usines Babcock became the heart of this industrial powerhouse. Babcock & Wilcox quickly rose to prominence, becoming France’s leading boiler manufacturer. They equipped nearly every major thermal power station and supplied specialized boilers to companies like Grands Moulins Pantin and the Cusenier distilleries, right here in La Courneuve. By 1936, the workforce on Rue des Usines Babcock had swelled to 800 employees. The factory expanded rapidly. Initially, workshops sprung up haphazardly. But in the 1920s, a more organized approach took shape around the towering chimney erected in 1915. Concrete and brick buildings housed the boiler works and forges, while new foundries rose opposite. An elegant administrative building marked the entrance to Rue des Usines Babcock. This building, with its white concrete, ochre brick pilasters, and mosaic frieze, stood in stark contrast to the red brick of the workshops. The company continued to thrive on Rue des Usines Babcock, becoming La Courneuve’s largest employer. Even after facing setbacks, the site continued to be a hub of activity. Today, Rue des Usines Babcock represents a blend of history and renewal. It stands as a reminder of La Courneuve’s industrial past and a testament to its ongoing transformation.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to