The Paris-Saclay Destination is a blend of two worlds. The first one is a place where knowledge is shared, a forward-thinking and cutting-edge urban area. The second is a haven of greenery at the entrance to Chevreuse Valley, a great place for walking.
Paris-Saclay is an area that is well-known across the globe for its university and scientific sector, just 15 kilometres from Paris, in the French department of Essonne.
Paris-Saclay is a place that offers an exceptional quality of life, with a population of more than 318,000 in the metropolitan area and a booming economy.
Ballainvilliers, Bures-sur-Yvette, Champlan, Chilly-Mazarin, Epinay-Sur-Orge, Gif-sur-Yvette, Gometz-le-Châtel, Igny, la Ville-du-Bois, Les Ulis, Linas, Longjumeau, Marcoussis, Massy, Montlhéry, Nozay, Orsay, Palaiseau, Saclay, Saint-Aubin, Saulx-les-Chartreux, Vauhallan, Verrières-le-Buisson, Villebon-sur-Yvette, Villejust, Villiers-le-Bâcle and Wissous.
Paris-Saclay is a wonderful combination of the town and the countryside. This green lung just a few kilometres from Paris is the ideal place for a refreshing change of scenery. Here, it's possible to enjoy local produce! Pick your fruit and vegetables straight from the farm or come and meet the farmers as they work. Embrace the delicious scent of bread and cookies fresh from the oven at the Fournil Vandame.
In Paris-Saclay, there are countless places to walk. Fans of long walks can stroll along the banks of the Yvette, the Bièvre or the Orge. Are you more forest than rivers? No worries, treat yourselves to a getaway in the great outdoors in Verrières forest. If you're feeling more sporty, hop on your bikes and ride along the Véloscénie cycle route across the hills.
People of all ages will have a great time at one of our leisure complexes. Farms, golf courses, trampoline park, museums, you won't be disappointed! Get a strike at the bowling alley in Ballainvilliers. Jump to your heart's content at the trampoline park. Are you looking for something authentic? Come and visit one of the museums in the local area. The metropolitan area has a fascinating history.
Are you worn out after all those activities? Have you worked up quite an appetite? If you're looking for a bite to eat, there are over 200 restaurants here. Give your friends a call and come and sip a cocktail out on the terrace of one of the bars just around the corner. You'll never get bored in Paris-Saclay!
As an example, in Paris-Saclay you can:
- Go horse-riding
- Go for a walk alongside the Yvette
- Go to work in a driverless car
- Attend a conference led by a Nobel prize winner
- Learn all about the history of the Ecole Polytechnique
- Climb the highest cliff in the Ile de France region
- Wander the cobbled streets in the villages
- Cycle as far as the Mont St Michel
- Walk to Santiago de Compostela
- Walk for 3 hours and meet only 5 other people
- Eat pastries made by one of the Best Craftsmen of France
- Get a change of scenery without leaving the Ile-de-France region
- And so much more
This has been a place of innovation for a very long time! Today, Paris-Saclay is one of the 8 global research clusters (source: MIT Technology Review). And rightly so, Nicolas Appert, Gustave Eiffel and André Citroën are just some of the famous names either contributed to or studied at the top engineering schools in this area. They helped build the foundations of what is today a hub where more than 15% of French research is carried out.
This French Silicon Valley is home to a great number of research and development centres, companies (Nokia, Carrefour, Thalès, Danone, EDF, etc.), start-ups, laboratories, schools, etc. It is largely thanks to this exceptional ecosystem that the area is considered to be so attractive.
The Université Paris-Saclay and Institut Polytechnique de Paris are key establishments for the Paris-Saclay cluster. This year, more than 65,000 students from all over the world came to study here.
The very first research centres in the area were created at the end of the Second World War: CEA, ONERA, CNRS, etc.
The Etablissement Public d’Aménagement Paris-Saclay has been commissioned to set the ball rolling. The purpose of this Operation of National Interest is to create a scientific and technology cluster and accelerate growth in the area over the next decades. This European Silicon Valley stretches beyond the borders of the Paris-Saclay metropolitan area, towards Versailles, via Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
The cultural scene in Paris-Saclay is just as exciting as finding an old Nokia 3310. You won't be needing the famous expressions, "I'm bored" or "there's nothing to do" here.
Enjoy a thrilling experience at the Opéra de Massy, the only suburban Opera in Ile-de-France with Versailles. Listen to and admire iconic operas such as Carmen and Madame Butterfly.
Come and dance the night away at a concert in one of the many cultural venues, or go and see an exhibition on a rainy day.
Have a great laugh watching your favourite comedian's latest show at Longjumeau theatre.
Every month, there are plenty of events to liven up your weekends and leave you with unforgettable memories (link to unmissable events).
In a few years time, an annexe of the Centre Pompidou is due to open in Massy. Yet another addition to the (already) action-packed cultural scene.
Look no further! Paris-Saclay is the ideal destination for sports!
You don't need to be training for the Olympics to be able to use top-quality sports facilities. As a family, with friends or alone, come and exercise in the ideal location. Lear how to swim, work on your golf swing or climb Fauvettes viaduct.
There are so many football pitches, golf courses, Olympic-sized swimming pools and climbing walls here for you to use.
Are you more of a spectator? No problem, come and watch the professionals in action. For rugby enthusiasts, watch a match at the Club de Massy or cheer on the French rugby team at the CNR de Marcoussis stadium. Nobody is left on the bench in Paris-Saclay. Fans of handball, cycling or hiking will also find what they're looking for here.
There are major sporting events held here every year, that you can take part in as a group, including the Tour Paris-Saclay (cycling) and the Marche de la Bièvre (walking). We recommend taking part in these events at least once!
The Tourist Office is in charge of promoting Paris-Saclay metropolitan area's tourism sector. Find out more about what we do, our team and the services we offer!
