For over a century, locomotives were maintained beneath the vaulted ceilings of these two immense buildings in Saint-Denis. Built beginning in 1872, the former SNCF workshops eventually closed their doors in the 1990s, leaving behind an impressive industrial wasteland. Their future now lies far from the world of railroads: the 8,400 m² of the Cathédrales du Rail will soon be home to the largest museum dedicated to street art and hip-hop culture.
Named L’Aérosol Saint-Denis, the project is not a new one. Announced several years ago, it reached a major milestone in July 2025 with the signing of preliminary sales agreements between the landowners and the developers. The next steps include, in particular, decontaminating the site and restoring the buildings. The museum is currently scheduled to open around 2029–2030, though this timeline remains tentative.
Beneath 19-meter-high vaults, street art will replace the locomotives
Imagine two monumental halls, with their immense glass roofs, their wooden trusses, and their vaults soaring to a height of 19 meters. Their architecture is so distinctive that they have been designated as Historic Monuments. These former workshops, located in the La Plaine neighborhood, are to be preserved and renovated rather than demolished.
The future museum will be developed in partnership with Maquis-Art and Hip-Hop Citoyens, two key players in urban culture. In addition to exhibition spaces, the site will feature areas dedicated to graffiti and dance, sports activities, events, and dining options. The goal is to create a place where visitors can both discover artworks and participate in activities.
The name L’Aérosol, incidentally, was not chosen at random. In 2017, the first venue bearing this name opened in a former SNCF hangar near the Porte de la Chapelle in the 18th arrondissement. Within its walls, graffiti and urban cultures found a space for expression that was particularly appreciated by Parisians.
Surrounding the museum, a new neighborhood with 650 housing units and hundreds of trees
The transformation will not stop at the old market halls. The project covers nearly six hectares and calls for the construction of 650 housing units, retail spaces, and several public facilities. A large park is also set to be created, featuring the same number of trees.
As for the two former warehouses, they will retain their industrial silhouette. After housing railway machinery and workers for over a century, they are set to become a space entirely dedicated to artistic creation. This is a rather unique transformation for these buildings, which have weathered more than 150 years of history on the outskirts of Paris.
Location: Les Cathédrales du Rail, La Plaine neighborhood, Saint-Denis (93)
Dates: L’Aérosol Saint-Denis is scheduled to open between 2029 and 2030, subject to the progress of construction.