Can you imagine the life of the people who lived in Hauts-de-Seine before the department was created in 1968? It wasn’t easy. Hauts-de-Seine was a collection of small villages and towns, a jumble of fields and vineyards. It was a rural place, but the air was already thick with the scent of the approaching industrial revolution. The future was on the horizon, and it was on its way.
The 18th century brought with it the development of factories and industries. People moved to Hauts-de-Seine to find work. By the 19th century, the region was bustling with life. The population was growing, and the industrial landscape was becoming more and more prominent. Not only did the changing landscape bring wealth and development, but it also caused hardships and environmental problems – many of which still exist today. The Seine river, running through the department, no longer flowed freely, and the air was polluted by the smoke of factories.
But times have changed. Hauts-de-Seine is now the fifth most populous department in France, and one of the wealthiest. In recent years, the department has also made great strides in reducing environmental impact and improving the quality of life for its inhabitants. Still, the past can be felt in the air to this day, and reminds us of the human experience, a journey through the passage of time that tells the story of a region, just as it tells the stories of all of its inhabitants.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.