Urban exploration (or urbex ) has been practiced for many years, and is becoming increasingly popular in France. The concept? Re(discover) abandoned places and uncover their secrets, even if it means scaring yourself. Here are a few abandoned sites around Paris for you to discover. A word of disclaimer: access to these places is sometimes inadvisable or even forbidden, and urbex is considered dangerous. That’s why we won’t be giving out any precise addresses or directions.
The abandoned village of Goussainville
Did you know that a real abandoned village was hidden just 20 kilometers from the capital? With the development of Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport in the 1970s and the accompanying noise pollution, half the population of Vieux-Goussainville deserted, leaving behind an almost ghost-like village. It’s a unique place, which can even be visited on a mini-hike.
Villa Bella Kiss
Well-known to Urbex enthusiasts, Villa Bella Kiss seems to have stepped straight out of a strange fairy tale. Built in 1907, this mansion in the Val d’Oise has a distinctive and remarkable architecture that attracts many visitors. It is said to have been abruptly abandoned by its owners over an inheritance dispute, and has been frozen in time ever since. However, it seems that the house has recently undergone some work. Perhaps a new life lies ahead…
The Aincourt sanatorium
Also hidden away in the Val-d’Oise, in the heart of a forest, the Aincourt sanatorium is a well-known spot in the world of urbex. A former spa specialized in the treatment of tuberculosis, it exudes a somewhat frightening energy and a heavy atmosphere. Nevertheless, it’s a favorite with urban exploration enthusiasts, who appreciate its astonishing architecture and the remnants of another medical era.
Beaumont swimming pool
Very popular after its inauguration in the 70s, the Beaumont swimming pool had to cease all activity in 2018, following the opening of a new aquatic center. Today, the complex has become a playground for urban explorers, who come to contemplate the strange atmosphere that emanates from the premises.
The Château d’Angervilliers
In the charming commune of Angervilliers, the eponymous château, once a plush manor house, has fallen into disrepair. Explorers can both contemplate the passage of time in the rooms inside and outside, where the garden lies fallow. A must-see for all urbex enthusiasts in Essonne.
Earle Nelson Hospital
Located in the heart of Paris’s 14th arrondissement, the former Earle Nelson Hospital is difficult to visit, not least because of its location. With many remnants of its past, it is both a fascinating and unsettling place.