Parc Georges-Valbon, one of the largest green spaces in Ile-de-France, at La Courneuve (93)

Accessible by RER, bus or tramway, the Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon is best known for having hosted the Fête de l'Humanité since 1972, before the festival was moved to Base 217 in Essonne. An immense lung of greenery in the inner suburbs, it is one of the largest natural areas in the Seine-Saint-Denis département, with 400 hectares of paths, meadows and lawns.

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Regularly referred to as the "Parc de la Courneuve", the Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon covers the municipalities of La Courneuve, Stains, Dugny, Saint-Denis and Garges-lès-Gonesse. During the Middle Ages, the land on which the park is located was devoted to cereal growing, before the first developments began in the 1960s. For twenty years, the park has been designed to accommodate cyclists and baby carriages on its tarmac paths, with play areas for children, ping-pong tables and beautiful lawns for reading in the sun, picnicking outdoors... For a jog, a bike ride or a walk with the kids, the park is ideal, and dogs are also welcome on a leash or loose in the dog parks!

There's also a pony-riding center, a fitness trail for young and old, and an orienteering course to add a touch of challenge to your visit to Parc Georges-Valbon! In fine weather, park staff offer horse-drawn carriage rides (April to September) around the park. Even more unusual is the fact that the Clinamen association's herd of sheep lives here all year round, grazing freely on some of the park's lawns.

The park is served by public transport: to get there, take RER B (stop la Courneuve/Aubervilliers) then bus 249, RER D (stop Saint-Denis) then streetcar T1. In short, for a walk in the fresh air near La Courneuve, the Parc Georges-Valbon is a must-see in the inner suburbs!