Recall what it was like in the late 1950s when managers of Aéroports de Paris predicted a significant rise in air traffic. That prediction led to what we know today as Roissy-en-France. This village didn’t wait for the airport to write its story.
Roissy-en-France is near Charles de Gaulle Airport. Many people still call the airport “Roissy” in France. One-quarter of Charles de Gaulle Airport is within Roissy-en-France. But none of the terminals are here. The rest of the airport is in Tremblay-en-France. Several other communes share the airport.
The name “Roissy-en-France” refers to an area. It’s not just about the country of France. “France” here means the Pays de France. This is a historical province of Île-de-France. Pays de France was north of Paris. Saint-Denis was at its center. Now, it’s mostly built up. It forms the northern suburbs of Paris.
Despite the airport’s growth, Roissy-en-France keeps its village feel. It welcomes nearly two million tourists each year. In 1976, the first hotel opened. This marked a new economic era. It brought opportunities and challenges.
The municipality took action in 1977. André Toulouse was the mayor. They created a Land Occupancy Plan. This plan created new housing. It improved urban coherence. Unsanitary housing was removed. Former farm workers got better homes. The village’s water supply was improved. A new well was drilled in 1978.
In 1980, the Tournelles sports complex was built. The OPAH program helped renovate old buildings. Owners were encouraged to retain the village’s character. The cultural center of the Orangery opened in October 1996.
The Grand Roissy Tourist Office was set up in 2003. It promotes the area’s dynamism. Since 2013, it holds the Quality Tourism brand. This rewards excellent service. In 2016, the Tourist Office became category I. This helped Roissy-en-France become a Tourist station.
Roissy-en-France is tranquil and French. It has shady parks and an old church. The town hall is grand. It has monuments to French aviation. The streets are quiet. You will find shops and restaurants. The “Brasserie le Village” is a bustling spot.
The village covers about 14 square kilometers. The air is clean. Life is happy here. Roissy-en-France was the setting for erotic novels by Pauline Réage. These are “Story of O” and “Retour a Roissy”. The first was a film. The ruined chateau near the Mairie may have inspired these stories.
To get here from Charles de Gaulle Airport, take bus number 95. It’s a five-minute ride. The village has not changed much. The hotel complex operates separately from local life. Roissy-en-France carries on as usual. It balances its quiet charm with its global connections.