Sevran

Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, once sought refuge in Sevran. Sevran, now a bustling suburb of Paris, offered Nobel a quiet escape in the late 19th century. He needed a peaceful place, away from the city’s distractions, to conduct his experiments. Sevran, with its tranquil chateau nestled in a tree-lined park, proved to be the perfect sanctuary. In 1881, Nobel established his laboratory within the chateau grounds. He would often travel from Paris to Sevran, a day trip by train from Gare du Nord. Sometimes he stayed overnight at the chateau where staff catered to his needs. Within the walls of his Sevran laboratory, Nobel developed ballistite. This propellant, composed of two high explosives, including nitroglycerine, became a precursor to cordite. Sevran’s connection to explosives predated Nobel’s arrival. A national gunpowder factory, under the war ministry’s control, had operated in the town since 1865. This existing infrastructure likely influenced Nobel’s decision to choose Sevran. The irony isn’t lost that the “merchant of death,” as he was sometimes called, found a haven in this unassuming town. Today, Sevran bears little resemblance to the peaceful village Nobel knew. The chateau has been transformed into the town hall. Nobel’s laboratory, now a boarded-up shed, stands as a silent testament to its former occupant. A monument was erected in 1996 to commemorate Nobel’s presence in Sevran. A road and a primary school also carry his name, but perhaps more could be done to honor this unexpected chapter in Sevran’s history.