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Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois

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City
—°2104
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Russian Cemetery, the largest Russian Orthodox cemetery in France with a unique history.
  • Take the RER C train from the local station for the most convenient access to central Paris.
  • Avoid driving towards Paris during rush hours as the traffic can be quite heavy.
  • Enjoy a relaxing walk in the Parc Pierre, a great green space right in the city.
  • Park at the RER station if you plan to commute to Paris for the day.

🍽 Food

🍽
French pastries

Try fresh croissants and baguettes at the local bakeries along Avenue Gabriel Péri.

🍽
Russian delicacies

Look for small grocery stores near the cemetery for authentic Russian snacks.

🍽
Local bistros

Enjoy classic French dishes at the traditional brasseries in the town center.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Historic Hypermarket

See the very first Carrefour hypermarket opened in France, a true piece of retail history.

🛍
Local market

Visit the market near the Donjon for fresh regional produce and cheeses.

🧘
Parc Pierre

A vast park with a small lake, well-suited for a quiet afternoon walk under the trees.

🧘
Banks of the Orge

Find peaceful walking paths along the Orge river, away from the urban noise.

Highlights of 2026

2

Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a notable suburban city in the Essonne department, located south of Paris. It gained international renown primarily for its Russian Orthodox cemetery, the largest of its kind outside Russia, which serves as the final resting place for countless prominent figures, including Rudolf Nureyev and members of the Romanov family. Culturally, it remains a significant site for the Russian diaspora. Historically, the city is also famous in the world of retail for hosting France's very first hypermarket, a Carrefour that opened in 1963 and fundamentally changed European shopping habits. The town's layout features a mix of historical landmarks, such as the medieval keep and the 18th-century castle, alongside sprawling modern residential areas. Situated near the banks of the Orge river, the city gives several green corridors and parks, providing a high quality of life for its residents while maintaining excellent transit links to the heart of Paris via the RER C train line.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C3471114182019161274
Rain mm534852416560555742596066

Live webcam – Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois

See what it looks like near Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois right now.

Ris-Orangis › North · 4.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
33,689
Coordinates
48.63780, 2.33220

Facts

  • The city covers a total land area of 9.27 square kilometers.
  • The Russian cemetery contains more than 10,000 graves.
  • The town's medieval keep (donjon) was built in the 14th century.
  • The city is located on a historic pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
  • The first hypermarket opened with an initial floor space of 2,500 square meters.
  • It is served by the RER C railway, a vital link to central Paris.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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Sights in the town Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (10)

Russian Cemetery🏺 historical

The most famous Russian emigrant cemetery in the world, holding the graves of Rudolf Nureyev and Andrei Tarkovsky.

Pierre Park🎡 recreation

A large municipal park offering diverse activities, animal enclosures, and scenic paths for nature lovers.

Maison Russe🏺 historical

A historic estate that has served as a sanctuary for elderly Russian nobles in exile since 1927.

Église Protestante Unie de la Vallée de l’Orge⛪ religious

The Église Protestante Unie de la Vallée de l’Orge is a Protestant church in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

Château🏰 castle

The Château is a historic castle located in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition⛪ religious

The Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Dormition is a notable church in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

Mairie de Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois📍 landmark

The Mairie de Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois serves as the town hall of the commune.

🕒 Mo-Tu 08:45-12:30,13:30-18:00; We 09:00-12:30; Th 08:45-12:3

Église Sainte-Geneviève⛪ religious

Église Sainte-Geneviève is a place of worship located in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

Grotte Sainte-Geneviève📍 landmark

The Grotte Sainte-Geneviève is a tourist attraction situated in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

MJC Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture🎭 culture

The MJC Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture is an arts and cultural center in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

🕒 Mo 10:00-12:00, 13:30-17:30; Tu-We 10:00-12:00, 13:30-19:00;

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Russian cemetery so famous?
It houses the graves of many famous Russian exiles, including Rudolf Nureyev and Ivan Bunin.
What can you visit at the 'Donjon'?
The Donjon is a preserved medieval tower of the old castle, often used for exhibitions.
How far is it from Paris?
The city is located about 25 km south of Paris and is easily accessible via the RER C line.
Is there a Russian church?
Yes, the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is a beautiful Orthodox church with blue onion domes located next to the cemetery.
What does the Parc des Perruches offer?
This park gives vast green spaces, ponds, and playgrounds, convenient for a family outing in nature.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois: where is it located?
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is located in Île-de-France, France.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois: what is there to see?
Highlights include Russian Cemetery, Pierre Park, Maison Russe.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois: why is it worth visiting?
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a notable suburban city in the Essonne department, located south of Paris.
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