Champigny-Sur-Marne offers several distinct themes for a trip: the history of the Resistance in France, traces of former lime production, architecture from different centuries and activities on the Marne. You can tailor your stay to what interests you most, rather than reducing all your experiences to a single theme.
Cultural history and distinctive buildings
On the banks of the Marne, the Aimé Césaire building houses the exhibitions and educational spaces of the Musée de la Résistance nationale. The permanent exhibition includes the history of the Resistance in France. The remains of the former lime kilns, also known as “Chaufours,” offer a different perspective on local history: they were used to produce lime by calcination and were recognized as local heritage in 2019.
The Église Saint-Saturnin also brings together different periods. The Romanesque church dates from the 13th century; its high altar features wood panelling from the 16th century. An ossuary and a memorial monument were built in Champigny in 1877. The ossuary holds the remains of thousands of German and French soldiers. Each of these places offers its own historical perspective, which you can prioritize according to your interests.
The townscape also includes the Cité-Jardins de Champigny-sur-Marne. Architects Pelletier and Tesseire designed the district, which was built between 1931 and 1939 and includes a theatre and a school. In the Coeuilly district, the Théâtre Gérard-Philipe has an auditorium that was renovated in summer 2021 and has more than 500 seats. These two examples offer different insights into Champigny's architecture and culture.
Exhibitions, events and the Marne
The Maison de l’Histoire et du Patrimoine hosts exhibitions, discussion sessions and workshops throughout the year. The Biennale d’art contemporain is another offering: it features self-guided visits, interpretive activities and workshops, and is particularly aimed at young audiences. The programme and dates vary with each edition. If you would like to combine your trip with the biennale, check the dates for the relevant edition.
For time outdoors, the Parc départemental du Plateau offers a walking trail from the plateau down to the river and its islands. A viewpoint overlooks the Marne Valley and Paris. On some summer weekends, the Base nautique Roland-Bouchier rents out canoes and kayaks. The route follows a safeguarded stretch of the Marne from the base to the Pont du Petit-Parc. The service is seasonal; check the current operating dates before making plans.
Planning your journey and hotel choice
Champigny-sur-Marne can be reached on RER E via Boullereaux-Champigny station and on RER A via Champigny station. An extensive bus and Noctilien network adds to the transport options. Connections and service patterns may change, so it is worth checking the latest timetable information for your travel day. When looking for a hotel, you can use your planned arrival and the aspects of your stay that matter most to you as a guide, without having to commit to a fixed sightseeing schedule.
The different themes offer distinct perspectives: the museum focuses on the Resistance in France, while the church, lime kilns and ossuary reveal other facets of history. The Cité-Jardins and the theatre add architecture and culture to this perspective; at the Parc du Plateau and on the Marne, the landscape takes centre stage. Consider which of these themes you would like to focus on, and check the applicable dates for seasonal activities.
Discover more destinations: Limeil-Brévannes, Créteil, Rungis, Villiers-sur-Marne, Cachan, Ivry-Sur-Seine, Le Perreux-Sur-Marne, Chevilly-Larue.
For the overview of the wider area: Val-De-Marne.
