Did you know that just a few kilometers from Roissy’s takeoff runways lies a Francilian village where the clocks seem to have stopped about fifty years ago? For the Heritage Days 2026, the famed “ghost village” of the Old Village of Goussainville, located in the Val-d'Oise, opens its cobbled lanes to curious visitors seeking an unusual tour. Each year, this major cultural event invites kids and adults to explore the little-known treasures of Paris and the Île-de-France region thanks to privileged access to exceptional sites. The Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, this distinctive site in northern Paris promises an extraordinary dive into our collective memory.
Le Vieux-Pays de Goussainville: an unusual stroll through a "ghost village" in the Île-de-France region
If you're looking for an unusual outing in the Paris region, you've come to the Val-d'Oise. It's here, just a few kilometers from the end of the Roissy airport runways, that you'll find the Vieux-Pays de Goussainville. Visit this atypical old village, described as "ghostly", and virtually abandoned by many of its inhabitants for several decades. [Read more]
The history of the Old Town of Goussainville shifts in the early 1970s with the arrival of the massive Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Placed squarely in the flight path of a departure runway, the historic center endures a deafening racket. In response to this sonic intrusion, Aéroports de Paris buys up dozens of houses and wall them off to deter clandestine settlements, nudging the vast majority of residents to move further away. The tragic crash of the Tupolev-144 prototype on the commune in 1973 would also, according to local accounts, fuel the urgency of residents to leave this increasingly exposed area.
Far from a mere ruin, the Old Town houses a remarkable architectural heritage. In the heart of the quiet lanes stands the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church, listed as a historic monument. This building blends the late Gothic style with the early sparks of French Renaissance in the 16th century, featuring carved columns and a nave attributed to master mason Nicolas de Saint-Michel. Around it, elegant ashlar houses, a 19th-century former castle, and aging farm buildings bear witness to the plains’ agricultural past.
Today, a handful of steadfast residents, artists, and a community bookstore are breathing life back into these remarkable spaces, proving that this open-air movie-set vibe still has a pulse. Below is the full program of activities and guided tours organized for the event.
Guided tour of Goussainville's Old Town
GUIDED TOUR OF THE OLD TOWN
Discover the origins of your city with us!
As you wander the Old Town, its centuries-old houses and historic church will carry you through more than a thousand years of story.
Mr. Philippe Vieillard and Mr. Jérôme Moreau, custodians of countless tales and anecdotes about Goussainville’s history, will share all their secrets during this one-hour guided visit.
Meet at the castle stables, in the Old Town park, to start with a small exhibit on the city’s history.
Participation conditions: Entry limited to 10 people inside the church — Free | No reservations required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 09:30–10:30, 11:00–12:00, 14:00–15:00, 15:30–16:30
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Old Country of Goussainville
6 Place Hyacinthe Drujon
95190 Goussainville
Route planner
Le Vieux-Pays de Goussainville: an unusual stroll through a "ghost village" in the Île-de-France region
