Fête Nationale de Goussainville

Goussainville and the Mystery of Vieux-Pays

Goussainville (95190) is a town in Val-d'Oise with approximately 28,000 inhabitants, notable for housing one of the strangest villages in France. The Vieux-Pays, the historic medieval heart of Goussainville, has been an almost ghost village since the air disaster of June 3, 1973, when a Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 crashed during the Paris Air Show on surrounding farmland, killing 15 people on board and 6 on the ground, and destroying homes. This accident, combined with the increasing noise pollution from Roissy airport, led almost all residents to leave Vieux-Pays in the following years.

Today, the Vieux-Pays of Goussainville is a place of memory and history: its 16th-century Saint-Pierre church, its cobbled streets, and its abandoned, vegetation-covered houses are a striking testament to the human impact of air travel on territories. The site is classified and preserved by the municipality.

The National Holiday in a Changing City

The July 14th National Holiday in Goussainville brings together the residents of the modern city center and, symbolically, the memory of the inhabitants of Vieux-Pays in a republican celebration. The new town, built from the 1960s onwards to house workers from the Paris region and employees of the future Roissy airport, is today a diverse and dynamic city.

Fireworks and Entertainment

The July 14th fireworks are launched from one of Goussainville's open spaces, offering a spectacle visible from many points in the city. Sports facilities, parks, and public squares host families and groups to watch the pyrotechnic display in a festive atmosphere.

Popular entertainment is organized throughout the day: children's games, sports activities, community stands, and food stalls. Goussainville's numerous and active local associations contribute to animating these local festivities. The Maison des Associations and the town's various cultural structures participate in the organization.

Popular Balls and Republican Spirit

The July 14th popular balls perpetuate the republican tradition in Goussainville. In this diverse city, where people of various origins live side by side, the July 14th ball is a rare moment for meeting and cultural exchange. Music and dance transcend community boundaries and create bonds between Goussainvillois who might not otherwise cross paths in their daily lives.

Roissy Airport, an Overbearing Neighbor and Job Provider

The proximity of Charles-de-Gaulle Airport is an omnipresent reality in Goussainville. While it is the main source of employment for many residents, the airport is also a source of significant noise pollution, especially in flight paths. The July 14th festivities thus take place in a particular soundscape, with regular plane passages over the town.

This coexistence with the airport is part of Goussainville's identity and gives the July 14th festivities a special tone: in a town marked by aviation history, the national holiday is also an opportunity to recall the complex links between a territory and its constraints.