Top 10 Things to Do in Noisy-le-Grand :
Activity 1 – Visit the Espaces d’Abraxas: a Futuristic Set on Paris’s Doorstep
Dreaming of a set worthy of a science-fiction film? The Espaces d’Abraxas await! This futuristic complex designed by Ricardo Bofill includes 591 apartments spread across three buildings: the Palacio, the Théâtre, and the Arc. You’ll find arches and stairways reminiscent of Brazil and The Hunger Games.
Here’s the essentials at a glance:
- Activity description: Stroll through a rose-tinted concrete palace blending antique motifs with modern touches. Capture the monumental perspectives and let yourself be surprised by residents’ anecdotes.
- How to get there: Get off at RER A – Noisy-le-Grand – Mont d’Est, then walk 10 minutes to the Palacio.
- Price: Access to the site is free. Two-hour small-group guided tours are organized via sortiraparis.com; these are paid.
- When? Between February and May, but you can admire the façades all year round.
💡 Insider tip: Go in the morning to enjoy low light that brings out the rosy hue of the concrete. Book the guided tour in advance—the time slots go fast!
Activity 2 – Admire the Arènes de Picasso: the Famous “Camemberts” by Núñez
Ever dreamed of wandering through a giant cheese? Head for the Arènes de Picasso! This post-modern complex of 540 housing units designed by Manuel Núñez Yanowsky is shaped like two drums—hence the nickname “camemberts.” Some say it symbolizes an overturned chariot.
To make the most of this unusual spot:
- Activity description: Admire the bold architecture, step into the central plaza, and take in the circular perspectives. The site has appeared in films like A Mort l’Arbitre and the music video Parisien du Nord.
- How to get there: From RER A – Noisy-le-Grand – Mont d’Est, walk up to Place Pablo-Picasso in 5 minutes. The complex can be visited freely while respecting residents’ peace and quiet.
- Price: Free access.
- When? Open year-round.
Activity 3 – Understand the Utopia of the “New Towns”
To better appreciate Noisy-le-Grand’s architecture, it helps to understand the utopia of the new towns. In the 1970s, the French state launched the construction of municipalities integrating housing, jobs, and services to ease congestion in Paris.
Here’s how to dive into this history:
- Activity description: Discover the ambition behind Marne-la-Vallée, the new town that has included Noisy-le-Grand since August 17, 1972. The goal was to offer jobs, housing, facilities, and green spaces to avoid long commutes.
- How to get there: Walk through Abraxas and Pavé-Neuf to see how architects Bofill and Núñez Yanowsky put these ideas into practice. Information panels and guided tours will help you decode the symbolism.
- Price: Free. Guided tours are paid via the tourist office.
- When? Accessible anytime.
Activity 4 – Explore the Bois Saint-Martin: the Secret Forest Opened in 2021
Need nature? The Bois Saint-Martin is Noisy-le-Grand’s secret forest. Long closed, it has been open to the public since November 2021.
Good to know:
- Activity description: A walk through 280 hectares of woodland where centuries-old oaks, roe deer, and wild orchids coexist. Marked trails cross peaceful clearings.
- How to get there: The forest lies between Noisy-le-Grand and Émerainville. The main entrance is reachable on foot or by bike from the center (15 minutes). Bicycles aren’t allowed inside; bring a lock.
- Price: Free access.
- When? Open year-round. Favor spring for blossoms and autumn for leaf colors.
Activity 5 – Unwind in the Butte-Verte and Bougainville Parks
Noisy-le-Grand offers several green pockets to hang out with friends or study outdoors.
To help you choose:
- Activity description:
- Parc de la Butte-Verte: playground, lawns, sports fields… ideal for a picnic or a soccer match.
- Parc Louis-Antoine de Bougainville: in the south, this park has a small lake and fountains, perfect for a shady nap.
- Parc départemental de la Haute-Île: in Neuilly-sur-Marne, this 65-hectare park between the Marne and the Chelles canal offers wetlands, meadows, and walking trails.
- How to get there:
- Butte-Verte and Bougainville: walkable from the center (10 minutes) or via bus line 203.
- Haute-Île: bus 203 or a 15-minute bike ride from Noisy-le-Grand.
- Price: Free access.
- When? Open all year, with flowerbeds in spring and dazzling colors in autumn.
Activity 6 – Stroll Along the Banks of the Marne and on the Promenade des Jardins
What’s better than a waterside walk? The banks of the Marne and the nearby Seine offer the perfect atmosphere for an outing as a couple, with family, or friends.
To enjoy this interlude:
- Activity description: Follow the bike-and-pedestrian path linking Noisy-le-Grand to Gournay-sur-Marne and Neuilly-sur-Marne. You’ll pass anglers, barges converted into restaurants, and riverside guinguettes. The Promenade des Jardins, a green corridor lined with fruit trees, links the center to the Marne.
- How to get there: Start your walk from the town center or the Richardets district. The route is signposted and accessible on foot or by bike.
- Price: Free.
- When? Accessible year-round. In summer, guinguettes bring the banks to life; in autumn, the colors are magnificent.
Activity 7 – Visit the Château de Champs-sur-Marne
In the mood for a journey back in time? Just 3.8 km from Noisy-le-Grand lies the Château de Champs-sur-Marne, an 18th-century gem surrounded by a French-style garden.
Here’s how to plan this outing:
- Activity description: Tour the château and its formal gardens with box-lined paths and a reflecting pool. Concerts and temporary exhibitions often enliven the estate.
- How to get there: Bus 222 from Noisy-le-Grand or by bike (15 minutes). The entrance is on Avenue du Génie in Champs-sur-Marne.
- Price: Admission is paid (reduced rate for under-26s). The gardens are free on some first Sundays of the month.
- When? Open year-round except certain public holidays. Check the monument’s website for opening hours.
Activity 8 – Visit La Ferme du Buisson
For a contemporary touch, head to La Ferme du Buisson in Noisiel:
- Activity description: This former chocolate factory has become a national stage for theater, dance, music, and cinema.
- How to get there: Bus 220 or by bike from Noisy-le-Grand (20 minutes).
- Price: Varies by performance (student discounts available).
- When? Programming all year long with many festivals.
Activity 9 – Discover Station K: the Ghost Metro Station in the Making
Want to explore an unusual, timeless place? Beneath the Les Arcades shopping center lies an abandoned metro station that fascinates as much as it intrigues. A truly offbeat discovery to add to your next urban outings!
- Activity description:Built in the early 1990s, Station K was meant to link Noisy-Mont d’Est to a futuristic business district called Maille Horizon. The project was abandoned, leaving behind a ghost station completed in 1991. Its futuristic, slightly eerie atmosphere will appeal to fans of urbex, science fiction, and architecture.
- How to get there:It’s buried beneath the Les Arcades shopping center in Noisy-le-Grand, directly accessible via the Noisy-Mont d’Est RER station.
- Price:The visit is free.
- Dates: until October 12, 2025.
💡 Tip: Bring a flashlight to fully enjoy the mysterious atmosphere and spot unusual architectural details.
Activity 10 – Dive into Street Art and Contemporary Music
Craving color and sound? The Pavé-Neuf district breathes creativity with giant murals and impromptu performances.
Make the most of the vibe:
- Activity description: Admire street-art murals, catch spontaneous hip-hop sessions on the stairs of the Espaces d’Abraxas, and enjoy concerts held in the Cinebox.
- How to get there: Explore the Pavé-Neuf district on foot from the RER station. Murals are around Place Pablo-Picasso and the Espaces d’Abraxas.
- Price: Free for walks; some Cinebox sessions are paid (student rate).
- Dates: Murals are visible year-round. Concerts and music events follow the program, notably during the Fête de la Musique on June 21.
