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Créteil
ℹ️Practical info — Créteil
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The iconic 'Choux de Créteil' (cabbage-shaped buildings) are best photographed in the late afternoon for striking shadows.
- Metro line 8 is the easiest way to reach the city from central Paris, but expect a 40-minute ride.
- The area around Lac de Créteil gets very busy on sunny weekend afternoons; visit on a weekday morning for peace.
- Save money on dining by grabbing a fresh baguette and cheese for a picnic by the lake.
🍽 Food
Look for small cafes near the lake offering sweet and savory crêpes with a view.
Stop by any artisan bakery near the Créteil-Préfecture station for your morning croissant.
Explore the older parts of town (Créteil Village) for authentic, hearty lunch menus.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
One of the largest shopping malls in the Paris region, well-suited for major brands and rainy days.
Check out the traditional outdoor market on Sundays for fresh regional produce and cheeses.
Walk along the less crowded western shore of the artificial lake for bird watching and tranquility.
A beautifully maintained English-style park with old trees, excellent for reading a book.
Water temperature…
Créteil, the prefecture of the Val-de-Marne department, is a standout example of modern French urbanism and social planning. Developing rapidly in the late 20th century, the city was designed as a 'New City' that integrates administrative functions, residential comfort, and nature. Its skyline is dominated by 'Les Choux' (The Cabbages), a residential complex of unique circular towers with petal-shaped balconies that have become a global icon of organic architecture. At the center of the city lies the Lake of Créteil, a massive 42-hectare reservoir surrounded by parks, offering a serene escape for residents and a venue for various water sports. The city is a major educational hub, hosting the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), which brings a youthful energy to the area. Culturally, Créteil is known for its Maison des Arts, a national stage for contemporary dance and theater. The city also features significant modern religious architecture, such as the redesigned Créteil Cathedral. Well-connected to Paris via Line 8 of the Metro, Créteil serves as a vital economic and cultural anchor for the southeastern suburbs, blending high-density living with expansive public amenities.
- Location: Île-de-France, France
- Top sights: Lac de Créteil · Les Choux de Créteil · Saint-Christophe Church
- Nearby: Limeil-Brévannes (4 km)
- Population: ~93.397
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 54 | 50 | 52 | 39 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 59 | 42 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
Live webcam – Créteil
See what it looks like near Créteil right now.
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Geography
Facts
- Créteil covers a total land area of 11.46 square kilometers.
- The Lake of Créteil is used as a technical reservoir for the region.
- The 'Choux' buildings were designed to maximize natural light for residents.
- Créteil Soleil opened in 1974 and remains a major retail destination.
- The city is home to a world-class center for hepatology and surgery.
- The Maison des Arts de Créteil is a key venue for the Festival d'Automne.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your morning exploring the monumental civic architecture of modern Créteil, feeling the pulse of its unique 70s urban design. Midday invites you to the calm shores of Lac de Créteil and its nature center. The afternoon is dedicated to admiring the iconic 'Cabbage' towers before unwinding at the lively commercial hub in the evening.
Créteil City Hall
House of Arts and Culture
Lake Créteil
House of Nature
Les Choux de Créteil
Créteil Soleil
Start your morning at City Hall, keeping your umbrella ready for the short walk to the House of Arts. Midday is best spent exploring the indoor galleries of the MAC to stay dry. In the afternoon, take a brisk walk by the lake toward the House of Nature. End your day inside the vast Créteil Soleil mall, where you can relax and stay warm despite the downpour.
Créteil City Hall
House of Arts and Culture
Lake Créteil
House of Nature
Les Choux de Créteil
Créteil Soleil
Start your winter morning at City Hall, then warm up in the nearby MAC galleries. At noon, the lake offers crisp, cold air ideal for a short walk to the House of Nature. In the afternoon, admire the frosted architecture of Les Choux. Spend your evening sheltered from the early darkness in the cozy atmosphere of Créteil Soleil mall.
Créteil City Hall
House of Arts and Culture
Lake Créteil
House of Nature
Les Choux de Créteil
Créteil Soleil
Your cycling journey starts at the astonishing Les Choux towers, cruising through the green corridor of Parc de la Brèche. Around noon, pedal towards the Hôtel de Ville and enjoy a breezy ride alongside the massive Lac de Créteil. Your afternoon continues to the historic Église Saint-Christophe, concluding with a serene evening escape on Île de la Guyère.
Les Choux de Créteil
Brèche Park
Créteil City Hall
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Guyère Island
Start at Les Choux and be careful of slippery road surfaces. At noon, ride through Brèche Park to City Hall, where you can find shelter under the eaves. The lake offers a quiet atmosphere for a quick lap even in the rain. End your evening at the church and Guyère Island, cycling with extra caution on wet and leaf-covered paths.
Les Choux de Créteil
Brèche Park
Créteil City Hall
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Guyère Island
Start your tour at Les Choux in the biting morning air. At noon, the route takes you through the bare Brèche Park to City Hall. At the lake, expect a stiff breeze that requires warm gloves. Visit the church in the afternoon for a moment of warmth. The tour ends on Guyère Island just in time for the sunset around 17:00.
Les Choux de Créteil
Brèche Park
Créteil City Hall
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Guyère Island
Begin in the heart of Paris witnessing the majesty of the Palais de Justice and Notre-Dame. Drive out towards the eastern suburbs for a midday scenic stroll along the Bords de la Marne. The afternoon shifts to the fascinating urban landscape of Créteil's Les Choux and the lake, finishing with a peaceful evening visit to the medieval Église Saint-Christophe.
Palace of Justice
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Banks of the Marne
Les Choux de Créteil
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Start your journey in central Paris, enjoying the view of the Palace of Justice from your dry car. At noon, drive along the rainy banks of the Marne toward Créteil. Visit the Les Choux architecture and the lake, staying inside the vehicle if the downpour gets too heavy. End your evening at the historic Saint Christopher's Church in the heart of the city.
Palace of Justice
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Banks of the Marne
Les Choux de Créteil
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Start your winter car tour in the heart of Paris. At noon, drive in your heated vehicle along the Marne toward Créteil, enjoying the crisp riverside air. Visit the impressive Choux towers and the frosty lake in the afternoon. End your day at Saint Christopher's Church before the winter darkness sets in around 17:00.
Palace of Justice
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Banks of the Marne
Les Choux de Créteil
Lake Créteil
Saint Christopher's Church
Sights in the town Créteil (23)
Hôtel de ville de Saint-Maur-des-Fossés🏺 historical
This building serves as the administrative center for the local government in Creteil. It is a prominent civic structure located in the heart of the community.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 'Choux de Créteil'?
Can you walk around the lake of Créteil?
Is there a large shopping center nearby?
How is the connection to the Paris Metro?
Is Créteil a university city?
Créteil: where is it located?
Créteil: what is there to see?
Créteil: when is the best time to visit?
Créteil: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
