River Landscapes and Nature

The 65-hectare Parc départemental de la Haute-Île lies between the Canal de Chelles and a bend in the Marne. Wetlands and wasteland are part of this natural area and support biodiversity. The park is also part of the Natura 2000 network in Seine-Saint-Denis. Its riverside location, varied habitats and large size give the Haute-Île several distinct characteristics.

At Lac des Primevères, attention turns to a body of water and its wildlife. The lake is home to mallards, coots, songbirds and various fish species. Walkers and members of the La Noquette fishing club spend time on its banks. Here, the focus is on a specific body of water and how its banks are used, while the Haute-Île is characterized by its wetlands and wasteland.

The Parc des 33 Hectares offers a different focus: it has fitness equipment and a health trail. Compared with the habitats of the Haute-Île and the water at Lac des Primevères, these facilities provide a clear guide for anyone who prioritizes exercise when choosing a park. The three green spaces can therefore be distinguished by their different features, without combining them into a single offering.

Architecture and Water Technology

The Église Saint-Baudile offers a glimpse of the early Gothic period in Île-de-France: construction began in 1198, and it belongs to the region’s first flowering of Gothic churches. Its floral capitals are a particular highlight. Their sculptures depict fern, water lily and grapevine; the motifs are associated with the Bondy forest, the marshes and the Marne, as well as viticulture. The church thus brings together architectural history and connections to the landscape and how it has been used.

At Square de l’Eau, historic Farcot machines from the town’s waterworks are on display. Illustrated panels explain water treatment. The machines evoke the history of the municipal waterworks, while the panels focus on the treatment process. Those interested in the history of technology will find a different perspective here than at the Église Saint-Baudile: there, the focus is on Gothic architecture and its imagery; here, it is on machinery and water treatment.

Digital Collection and Exhibition

The Micro-Folie is a digital museum featuring more than 6,000 digitized works from a network of 474 national, regional and international partner institutions. Its focus is on a digital collection and its wide-ranging institutional network.

The Musée d'art et d'histoire de la Psychiatrie presents a permanent exhibition on psychiatry, mental health and the history of madness. Its subject matter sets it apart from the Micro-Folie’s digital collection: psychiatry and mental health are at the heart of this museum, while the Micro-Folie features digitized works from a network of partner institutions. The two offerings provide distinct cultural experiences.

For trip planning, Neuilly-sur-Marne offers a range of themes to choose from: landscapes and waterways, exercise in the park, Gothic architecture, water technology and exhibitions. When looking for hotels in Neuilly-sur-Marne, you can start by considering whether nature, architecture or museums will be the main focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Le Blanc-Mesnil, Pierrefitte-Sur-Seine, Les Lilas, Montreuil-Sous-Bois, Aulnay-Sous-Bois, Sevran, Saint-Denis, Drancy.

View the broader travel guide: Seine-Saint-Denis.