Courcouronnes: Parks and Cultural Heritage

Courcouronnes brings together parkland and cultural history. Parc du Lac offers paths, recreational areas and a wetland; La Dame du Lac and historic boundary markers provide a glimpse into the area’s heritage. The town is also home to a church whose origins date back to the late 12th century.

Parc du Lac: paths, places to pause and nature

In the Courcouronnes-Centre district, Parc du Lac was expanded by 6 hectares, added to the 11 hectares already in place. The expansion was completed in December 2024. This area includes cycle paths and secure footpaths, as well as a playground, rest areas with picnic tables and a boules court. The expansion therefore offers different ways to enjoy a visit to the park: you can explore on foot or by bike, use the playground or plan a break at the picnic tables.

Parc du Lac is also a place for walks and a refuge for birds. In the expanded area, the wetland serves several ecological functions: it provides a refuge for biodiversity, acts as a retention basin during heavy rainfall and filters rainwater runoff. Opportunities for visitors and natural functions are equally part of the park’s character.

A different landscape feature

The lake in Parc du Rondeau is overlooked by dune-like rises that are popular with paragliders and kite flyers. In contrast to Parc du Lac, whose expansion includes paths, play and rest areas, and a wetland, here it is the lake and the shape of the landscape that define the impression. When comparing nature-related features for your travel plans, these offer different experiences: a walking area and bird refuge on the one hand, and a lake and dune-like rises on the other.

La Dame du Lac: climbing history and heritage

The sculpture La Dame du Lac is part of the cultural history of climbing. In 1975, it was commissioned as France’s first artificial climbing structure. Its original design included ten climbing routes and nearly 300 climbing holds, created by Guido Magnone. In September 2019, the sculpture received the “Patrimoine d’intérêt régional (PIR)” designation. The historic routes and holds reflect its original climbing design: La Dame du Lac has not been open for climbing for several years because it no longer meets safety standards. This distinction is important when planning your trip—the sculpture’s climbing history does not mean climbing is currently permitted.

Historic markers and an old church

Bornes à fleur de lys No. 19 and 20 in Courcouronnes are protected as historic monuments. Their protection was established by a decree dated March 22, 1934. The history of Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité dates back to around the end of the 12th century, when the church was founded. It still stands at its original location in the center of Courcouronnes’ first cemetery. Work has been carried out on the small church and its cemetery to enhance both.

Music and venues

In Évry-Courcouronnes, the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood moved to Ferme du Bois Briard in September 2023. It is a school for jazz and improvised music. The same farm complex is also home to Salle culturelle Decauville, which hosts theater performances, concerts and receptions. This location therefore brings together a music school and a venue with a range of cultural uses; both are in Évry-Courcouronnes.

Discover more destinations: Champmotteux, Morsang-Sur-Orge, Palaiseau, Le Coudray-Montceaux, Méréville, Juvisy-sur-Orge, Varennes-Jarcy, Brières-Les-Scelles

For the main travel overview: Essonne.