History and Visit of André Citroën Park in Paris
The André Citroën Park, a vast green space located at 2 rue de la Montagne-de-la-Fage in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, spans fourteen hectares, making it one of the city’s largest parks. Created in the 1990s on the site of the former Citroën factory, the park offers stunning views of the Seine. It is accessible via RATP bus lines 42 and 88, the T3 tramway at Pont du Garigliano, line C at Boulevard Victor, as well as RER lines 8 and 10 with nearby subway stations Lourmel, Balard, and Javel-André Citroën. Visitors can also hire a private taxi to reach André Citroën Park and other historic sites in Paris, with options including VIP cars, collective shuttles, or private shuttles.
In the fifteenth century, the area known for its small bleach port was a popular gathering spot for boaters. By 1777, it was designated for the construction of a chemical plant, enabling the future Charles X, the Comte d’Artois, to produce a renowned water disinfectant under the name “bleach,” inspired by the village’s name. The product enjoyed great success, leading to several manufacturing ventures in the area, culminating in the establishment of the Citroën factory by engineer André Citroën in 1915. Faced with a shortage of ammunition during World War I, Citroën began producing cartridges, shells, and grenades. Despite the prosperity of his munitions business, he pivoted to the automotive industry in 1919, achieving significant success and eventually expanding his operations over 55,000 square meters.
In 1958, the Quai de Javel was renamed André-Citroën following a City Council decision. This change marked a new phase in the organization of the Citroën factory, with the main factory site remaining on the Quai André-Citroën until its activities were moved to Aulnay-Sous-Bois in 1972 and ultimately to Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1982. Eight years later, the André-Citroën Park was developed on the site of the old factory and inaugurated in 1992, requiring 43,000 cubic meters of earth for its creation.
Exploring the Diverse Landscapes of the Grand Park
The park is segmented into three distinctive sections. The first is the White Garden, spanning one hectare and brimming with perennials, welcoming everyone who desires to stroll or engage in playful activities. Following this, there is the Black Garden, which extends over 2 hectares and is embellished with sixty fountains surrounded by majestic trees such as pines, oaks, and more. The crowning feature is a vast central park, the largest section, covering an area of 11 hectares. This central area is uniquely open to the Seine, integrating seamlessly with its numerous fountains, creating a serene oasis in the heart of the city.
To the north of the park, visitors are greeted by two monumental greenhouses, one nurturing exotic plants and the other Mediterranean varieties, showcasing the park’s botanical diversity. The northern expanse is further enhanced with six thematic gardens, each crowned by a small greenhouse. These serial gardens are conceptualized around various themes including color, metal, planet, a day of the week, interaction with water, and sensory experiences. Beyond these, the garden of Metamorphoses and the garden of Movement offer thematic explorations into the dynamic and ever-changing nature of flora. For a bird’s-eye view of this magnificent site, visitors can ascend in the “Air de Paris,” a large tethered gas balloon that rises up to five hundred feet, accommodating up to thirty passengers for a breathtaking panoramic experience.
The park is divided into three parts. There is firstly the White Garden which covers a hectare. Scatters perennials, it is open to all those who want to walk or play. Then he has the Black Garden, with an area of 2 hectares. It is adorned with sixty fountains and large trees such as pine, oak ect. Finally, a large central park that occupies the greater part of the park in an area of 11 hectares. It is open to the Seine through its many fountains.
North of the park stand two monumental greenhouses. One is home to exotic plants and other Mediterranean plants. The northern part is lined with six gardens above which are placed six small greenhouses. They are called serial gardens because they each represent different themes such as color, metal, planet, a day of the week, a relationship with water and meaning. In addition to these six gardens, you can also see the garden’s Metamorphoses and garden movement that are both themed gardens. Visitors can view the site in height through a large captive gas balloon balloon called Air de Paris. It can fly up to five hundred feet high, with thirty passengers.
Shuttle Services from André Citroën Park to Paris Airports
The André-Citroën Park, a notable green oasis in Paris, is conveniently situated 16.7 kilometers from Orly Airport, making it an accessible location for travelers. Additionally, the park is 36.3 kilometers away from the Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport and 91.6 kilometers from Beauvais Airport. This strategic location ensures that visitors to the park can easily transition to and from Paris’s major airports.
