A medieval round tower, an Orthodox necropolis and a 26-hectare nature park give Sainte-Geneviève-Des-Bois its distinct character. Le Donjon and the churches offer a glimpse into the town’s history and architecture; the Parc des bords de l'Orge offers opportunities for walking, sports and leisure activities. This means you can choose between historical sites and outdoor activities during your stay.
Cultural History and Architecture
The tower of Le Donjon has been classified as a Monument historique since 1923. The large medieval round tower ruin defines a group of buildings that once formed the outbuildings of a château that has since disappeared. Visitors interested in the history of a building will therefore find more here than just the surviving tower: the group’s former function is also part of the story of the place.
The church of Sainte-Geneviève was built in 1876 after the previous church was severely damaged by a lightning strike in August 1875. The church also houses two protected sculptures: depictions of Sainte Geneviève and Sainte Madeleine, which are protected as Monuments historiques. The Grotto, meanwhile, dates in its present form to the 18th century. Historically, it was associated with a pilgrimage to Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, held annually on the second Sunday after Easter.
The Russian Necropolis and Remembrance
The Russian Necropolis comprises the Orthodox church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, its outbuildings and garden, as well as Orthodox graves in the municipal cemetery. The church is a white building with a square ground plan, a green roof and a blue onion dome. Its construction was approved in 1937, based on plans by architect Albert Benois. Here, architecture and history can be explored together, while distinguishing the church from the graves in the cemetery.
The necropolis contains around 4,000 graves, including those of Prince Youssoupov, Ivan Bunin and Rudolf Nureyev. Another chapter in the town’s history is the Maison russe: in 1927, Vera Mestchersky founded it at the Château de la Cossonnerie for Russian refugees; initially, it was reserved for this group. Today, the Maison russe is a retirement home and cannot be visited. As visitor access may change, check before visiting.
The Columns of Peace also serve as a memorial. The monument was built from fired bricks engraved with the names of local residents. It was inaugurated on May 8, 1995. Together with the necropolis and the historic churches, it offers another way to explore local history: through remembrance and the people commemorated by particular places and names.
Nature and Distinctive Buildings
The Parc des bords de l'Orge is a 26-hectare nature park that opened to the public in 1983. Walking, sports and leisure activities are the main attractions here. If you want to combine historic buildings with time outdoors, the park provides a counterpoint to the churches and monuments.
The farm and animal park at Parc Pierre opened to the public in 1986. This date refers to their historic opening; check before visiting to see whether the facilities are currently accessible. Another architectural point of interest is La Serre de l'Orangerie. Built in 1979, it was inspired by Canadian models and is considered unique in France. As access may change, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
The sites offer distinctly different experiences: Le Donjon and the churches represent architectural and local history, the Russian Necropolis combines architecture with remembrance, and the Parc des bords de l'Orge offers space for walks and leisure. This selection can help you tailor the focus of your stay to your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Avrainville, Saint-Aubin, Villebon-Sur-Yvette, Bruyères-Le-Châtel, Fleury-Mérogis, Viry-Châtillon, Morangis, Les Ulis.
For the broader travel overview: Essonne.
