L'Haÿ-les-Roses brings together the architectural history of the Église Saint-Léonard, a rose garden, a landscaped park and outdoor trails. These different attractions can help you shape your stay around architectural history, designed landscapes or outdoor activities.
Several construction phases at the Église Saint-Léonard
The walls of the nave and the north aisle of the Église Saint-Léonard survive from its reconstruction in the first quarter of the 16th century. Bishop François de Poncher consecrated the church in 1523. In 1837, architect Billaud added a tower and a south aisle in the Neo-Gothic style. In 1972, the choir and transept were demolished and replaced with a reinforced-concrete hall with an exposed timber roof structure; the architect was Bahon.
The sequence reveals the different interventions: the surviving sections of wall date from the reconstruction, the tower and south aisle from the Neo-Gothic addition, and the hall from the later replacement of the choir and transept. Visitors interested in architecture can therefore identify not only the dates but also the parts of the building affected at each stage.
Fountain and mill: local history in everyday life
The Fontaine Bronzac was built in 1832 by the mayor at the time, Pierre Bronzac. The cast-iron fountain served as an accessible water source for residents in the town centre. Its history is therefore also part of the story of everyday water supply in the town.
The Moulin de la Bièvre was built in the 12th century to grind grain from the surrounding fields. Today it is a cultural and community venue, with the community associations centre, an exhibition space and the municipal multipurpose hall. Here, you can distinguish its former agricultural function from its current community uses. If you are planning to attend a specific event, please check the current programme.
Rose garden and landscaped park
The Roseraie du Val-de-Marne was created as the first garden devoted entirely to roses. Its clear focus makes it a distinct attraction for anyone interested in rose gardens.
The Parc départemental de la Roseraie is a 14-hectare English-style landscaped park. Its rolling terrain, winding paths and views over the Bièvre valley shape the landscape. Children’s playgrounds and picnic areas add to the grounds. Regular departmental and municipal events, as well as concerts, are also held there; dates and programmes vary. If you plan to include a concert or event in your visit, check in advance what is on during your stay.
Promenade and Bièvre
The Promenade de la Vanne is a 1.5-kilometre walking trail through L'Haÿ-les-Roses, running from Cachan to Chevilly-Larue. It is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Landscape depressions, benches, children’s play areas, fountains and exercise equipment line the route; bike racks and pump stations are provided for cyclists. The distance and named endpoints help you gauge the length of the trail. Benches and play areas offer more places to take a break, while the exercise equipment and cycling facilities support outdoor activity and bike use.
The Bièvre also shapes the local landscape: in 2016, a 600-metre stretch was reopened in L'Haÿ-les-Roses, and the river once again flows in the open air there. Before visiting, check locally which access points to this section are open to the public.
Those primarily interested in local history will find several points of interest: the church’s construction phases, the former Fontaine Bronzac water source and the mill, which once ground grain and is now used by the community. For a stay focused on the outdoors, the park’s landscape and the clearly defined route of the promenade offer different options for visitors.
Discover more destinations: Boissy-Saint-Léger, Santeny, Choisy-Le-Roi, Chevilly-Larue, Bry-Sur-Marne, Fresnes, Maisons-Alfort, Saint-Maurice
For the overview of the wider area: Val-De-Marne.
