Le Bourget brings together two distinct themes for visitors: the history of aviation and spaceflight, and the memory of the battles of 1870. The Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, interactive experiences and historic buildings each offer a different focus. When planning your stay, the main consideration is whether you want to focus on the exhibition and aviation, the memorial sites or both.

Aviation at the Museum, Through Hands-On Experiences and at the Air Show

At the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, a route arranged by theme and chronology takes visitors through exhibition halls covering the history of aviation and spaceflight. Its thematic and chronological layout sets this museum visit apart from the hands-on experiences available on site: you can focus on historical developments or choose activities centered on trying things out and flying.

Planète Pilote offers almost 40 fun, interactive experiences related to aviation and spaceflight, as well as the scientific principles of aeronautics. Simupilote offers a different focus: it teaches the basics of flying and enables visitors to take a complete simulated flight between Paris-Le Bourget and Roissy CDG airports. This means a chronologically arranged exhibition route, interactive themed experiences and a flight simulation offer distinct areas of focus. Check the booking conditions for Simupilote before your visit.

The Salon International de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace takes place every two years at Paris-Le Bourget. On the public weekend, families and aviation enthusiasts can see aircraft on display, as well as civil and military aircraft, drones and prototypes. Events and flying displays are also part of the program. The specific exhibits and displays vary with each edition. If your trip is centered on the air show, check the dates and program for the relevant edition in advance.

Memorial Sites and Architecture in Le Bourget

The Église Saint-Nicolas was rebuilt at a new location around 1750. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it was the scene of fierce fighting; five paintings inside the church commemorate these events. Here, a building with a history of reconstruction sits alongside a tangible reminder of the battles. This gives the church a historical focus distinct from the aviation themes.

The town hall offers two different ways to discover Le Bourget: it is an example of 1930s architectural style, and its main staircase features a fresco by Charles Fouqueret depicting a scene from the battles of 1870. The combination of architecture and historical remembrance takes a different form at the memorial sites. The Monument de l’Épée brisée commemorates the soldiers who fell for France in 1870. The Chapelle Monument aux Morts de 1870 on Avenue du Président Kennedy holds the remains of more than 500 soldiers. Le Bourget cemetery also contains a pyramid erected by the Prussians in memory of their fallen comrades. Each site offers a different focus: a monument, a chapel holding human remains, and a memorial in the cemetery.

Another historic building is Le Bourget RER station. Its classic, harmonious design dates back to the period when the railway line to Soissons was built. Nearby, in Dugny, the historic Aérogare du Bourget houses collections from the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace. It is the only surviving airport terminal of its generation from the 1930s in France. This adds a historic terminal in the vicinity of Le Bourget to the aviation history presented by the museum.

Discover more destinations: Bobigny, Le Raincy, Montfermeil, Bagnolet, Villepinte, Neuilly-sur-Marne, Pierrefitte-Sur-Seine, Aubervilliers.

For the broader travel overview: Seine-Saint-Denis.