Saint-Ouen

Journey back to a time long before the Eiffel Tower graced the Parisian skyline. Saint-Ouen, even then, held a prominent place in the region’s history. Saint-Ouen’s story begins well before the 5th century. It was established where the Roman road, Chaussée Jules César, connecting Lutèce (ancient Paris) to Lillebonne, met the Oise River. The town draws its name from Saint Ouen, an advisor to King Dagobert I and the Bishop of Rouen. The name also reflects “Aumône,” referencing the Saint-Lazare leper house from the 12th century. The village of Saint-Ouen, under the influence of Pontoise, revolved around a royal abbey founded by Blanche of Castile. The nuns of this abbey played a crucial role in the village’s economic and medical life. The second half of the 19th century saw Saint-Ouen’s population swell to 3,000 due to rural migration and the growth of carpentry and engineering factories. After World War II, housing needs led to the construction of apartment blocks. This trend intensified after the 1970 decision to create the new town of Cergy-Pontoise. By the mid-1980s, Saint-Ouen boasted one of Europe’s largest business districts. Today, Saint-Ouen maintains a connection to its past. It cherishes its green spaces, like the Maubuisson Abbey county park from the 13th century and the Coulée Verte, a green pathway along Rue de Liesse and the Maubuisson ponds. Saint-Ouen is also famously home to the Red Star FC 93 football club. Don’t mistake them for a Parisian team! They play right here in Saint-Ouen, just across the périphérique, the ring road encircling Paris. This suburb, with its population of 40,000, is perhaps best known for its flea market. Thousands flock here weekly, but Saint-Ouen is more than just bargains. It’s a place with a rich, thousand-year history, from its medieval royal villa and village to its industrial boom. And it’s still evolving, blending old and new in a unique tapestry.