How did the Route de Noisy-le-Sec get its name? Today we will explore this road. It is located in Pantin. This route’s name mirrors the Route de Pantin. The Route de Pantin is the old name for Rue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier in Noisy-le-Sec.
The Route de Noisy-le-Sec was once part of Romainville. It was part of the Route Départementale from Paris to Raincy. This road opened in 1848. After the war, its northern part went to Pantin. The remaining section was renamed.
The Rue de Noisy-le-Sec shares a name. It shares it with the commune of Noisy-le-Sec. This road leads to that commune.
The Rue de Noisy-le-Sec was part of the Chemin de Grande Communication no 36. It was entirely within Bagnolet and Les Lilas. The section west of the intersection with Rue Pierre-Soulié and Rue Évariste-Galois was a non-construction zone. It was near fortifications. A decree annexed it to Paris. This allowed for the later construction of the Boulevard Périphérique.
In 1969, the Rue de Noisy-le-Sec widened. This happened during the creation of Paris’s Boulevard Périphérique. In 1971, Eustachy Kossakowski photographed the Rue de Noisy-le-Sec. It was part of the “6 mètres avant Paris” series. In July 2024, its central reservation became the Promenade Roland-Castro.
Now, let’s journey to Noisy-le-Grand. It lies on the outskirts of Paris. It sits halfway between the capital and Disneyland. Some say it looks like science fiction. Movie directors have used it for films. “Brazil” and “The Hunger Games” filmed here.
Les Espaces d’Abraxas is a key site. Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill designed it. It resembles a monument more than housing. This complex has 591 units. It includes three main parts. The Palacio is the tallest building. It has 19 stories. The Théâtre features curved apartments. These apartments form a central plaza. An arc stands in the center. It looks like a futuristic Arc de Triomphe. It holds 20 apartments.
Les Espaces d’Abraxas was built from 1978 to 1984. It was part of the new city of Marne-la-Vallée. Bofill aimed to blend function with aesthetics. He wanted to create social housing with human scale and public spaces.
Les Arènes de Picasso is another architectural highlight. These buildings have an octagonal layout. Two circular units flank each side. A large sculpture stands in the center. Water surrounds it. There are 540 apartments here. A kindergarten, a high school, and stores are also present.
Manolo Nunez designed Les Arènes de Picasso. He aimed to create something different. He used Parisian symbols in his design. The circular buildings are 17 stories tall. They feature concrete discs. These discs are over 40 meters in diameter.
To conclude our exploration, remember the Route de Noisy-le-Sec. Its history connects it to nearby areas. It shows how roads evolve. From its origins to its present form, it remains a vital part of the urban landscape.