“A cow yard?” you might be thinking, tilting your head at the Parc d’Activités de Courtabœuf. The name, meaning “Court of the Ox,” hints at a bucolic past. This bustling business park, situated 22 kilometers southwest of Paris, was once farmland. In the 18th century, a vast 200-hectare farm occupied this very spot, known then as Cour à Bœuf. The name likely originated from the large herds of cattle that grazed here. Another theory suggests it served as a final holding area for livestock headed to the bustling Les Halles market in Paris.
The Parc d’Activités de Courtabœuf we see today began its transformation in the 1960s. Initially envisioned as a residential zone, the French government under Michel Debré planned a large housing development. Instead, the area evolved into an industrial park. AtoChem, a chemical company, broke ground in 1967, marking the park’s official birth. Hewlett-Packard followed in 1968, along with Varian, Heraeucs, and Tektronix in 1969. Designed with wide avenues and landscaped areas, the park emulated American industrial parks of the era. Microsoft even established its European campus here in 1983.
Today, Parc d’Activités de Courtabœuf sprawls across 450 hectares, encompassing over 1,000 companies and providing around 24,500 jobs. It houses 3,500,000 square meters of office space. Giants like Hewlett-Packard still maintain a strong presence here, with their European research center. JM Bruneau also calls Courtabœuf home, housing their headquarters here. It’s hard to imagine that Apple and Microsoft both had their French headquarters here until 2007 and 2009, respectively. The park is a vital component of the Paris-Saclay technology hub, driving innovation and economic growth in the region. Over 12,000 visitors navigate this expansive business park daily.
Interestingly, Courtabœuf isn’t just about business. It hosts annual foot races called “Les Foulées de Courtabœuf,” a tradition since 1997. It even offers a “Business Speed Meeting” for entrepreneurs. While its modern function is far from its agricultural origins, the name Courtabœuf remains, a subtle reminder of the livestock that once roamed this now vibrant landscape. The old farm buildings at the center of the park now house a “Centre de vie” offering a variety of services for the park’s employees. It’s a testament to the area’s evolution, blending the past with the present in this dynamic business hub.