In Sevran, the Poudrerie Park covers 137 hectares on the site where gunpowder and explosives were once manufactured. From Paris, you can reach it via the RER B line, or by bike along the Ourcq Canal from the Porte de la Villette. It’s a rather unexpected outing for a refreshing walk without venturing far from the capital.
An industrial heritage forest in the Île-de-France region
The Sevran-Livry Gunpowder Factory was established by decree of Napoleon III in 1865. It was the first French gunpowder factory to be steam-powered and housed several laboratories dedicated to explosives. Industrial activity continued for nearly a century before ceasing in the 1970s. The site could have been leveled or turned into a residential development; instead, it eventually became a wooded park open to the public.
As reminders of the site’s past, several brick buildings have been preserved, along with bridges, old workshops, and a few sections of rail tracks once used by the factory’s trains. The Gunpowder Museum, accessible during certain tours, explores the manufacturing methods and the daily lives of the workers.
In addition, the ponds and ditches were originally designed to collect rainwater and serve as reserves in case of fire. They now provide a habitat for many animals and contribute to the ecological richness of the park, which is part of the Seine-Saint-Denis Natura 2000 network .
The southern part of the park, which is almost entirely flat, is popular with runners and cyclists, while a seven-kilometer trail allows you to circle the park in about two hours. Along the way, you’ll encounter giant sequoias, old oak trees, forest ponds, and large lawns where families come to picnic.
During the summer of 2026, the Poudrerie also hosts free sports activities, workshops, exhibitions, and bird-watching outings. A refreshment stand lets you take a break on site, making it easy to plan a day out without much advance preparation.
The park is accessible via the Sevran-Livry and Vert-Galant RER B stations. However, the bike ride along the canal remains the most pleasant option. A unique blend of industrial heritage and forest, just a few kilometers from Paris.
📍Location: Parc de la Poudrerie – Allée Eugène Burlot, 93410 Vaujours