Occupying a hairpin bend of the River Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt is an affluent suburb west of central Paris. It was once an important industrial area and the site of France’s first aircraft factory, while it’s also the birthplace of the country’s film industry at Billancourt Studios.
Things to do in Boulogne-Billancourt
In the heart of Boulogne-Billancourt is the Musee des Annees Trente, which showcases a fascinating collection of decorative arts and industrial objects from the 1930s. It was established by Dr. Albert Besançon in 1939 and houses architectural works by Le Corbusier and designs by Jules Leleu. Objects from the former Musee National des Arts d'Afrique et d’Oceanie are also on display.
Occupying a four-hectare site on the edge of Boulogne-Billancourt is the Musee Albert-Kahn, which exhibits autochrome photographs and films collected by the banker and philanthropist. It is housed within a building designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma that celebrates Albert Kahn’s relationship with the Asian country. The Musee Albert-Kahn is particularly renowned for its magnificent garden and collection of rare plants.
Hugging the north-west corner of Boulogne-Billancourt is Park Boulogne-Edmond de Rothschild, which centres around an 1855 château built for the German-French banker, James Mayer de Rothschild. It’s home to a duck-filled lake, grassy lawns and a Japanese garden complete with a pagoda and maple trees. On the edge of the park is the Musee Paul-Belmondo, which celebrates the work of the French sculptor.
Getting around Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Paris and 35 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. It’s served by several stations on the Paris Metro and buses also travel throughout the area, connecting most of its attractions.