Le Bourget

Le Bourget
Name	Le Bourget
Arrondissement	Le Raincy
Canton	La Courneuve
Insee	93013
Postal code	93350
Intercommunality	Métropole du Grand Paris
Elevation min m	38
Elevation max m	48
Area km2	2.08

Le Bourget. It is a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, located in the Seine-Saint-Denis department within the Île-de-France region. The town is internationally renowned as the site of the Paris–Le Bourget Airport, a major hub for business aviation and the venue for the famed Paris Air Show. Its history is deeply intertwined with aviation milestones and significant events from the Franco-Prussian War to the Second World War.

Geography

Situated approximately 10.6 kilometers northeast of Notre-Dame de Paris, it lies within the dense urban fabric of the Petite Couronne. The commune is bordered by Dugny to the north, Drancy to the east, La Courneuve to the south, and the departmental boundary with Saint-Denis to the west. The landscape is predominantly flat, part of the Paris Basin, with the Canal de l'Ourcq traversing its territory. Its small area is heavily shaped by the extensive infrastructure of the Paris–Le Bourget Airport and associated transport networks.

History

Its origins date to a Gallo-Roman settlement, with the name first recorded in the 12th century as *Borgellum*. The area was historically agricultural until the mid-19th century. It gained strategic military importance during the Franco-Prussian War, notably as the site of a major Battle of Le Bourget in 1870. The 20th century transformed it into a global aviation center, beginning with the establishment of the airport in 1919. The field served as the terminal for pioneering airlines like Air Union and was the arrival point for Charles Lindbergh after his transatlantic flight in 1927. During the Second World War, it was occupied by the Luftwaffe and later bombed by the Allies. The Paris Air Show, first held in 1909, found its permanent home here in 1953.

Economy

The economy is dominated by aviation and aerospace activities centered on Paris–Le Bourget Airport, the busiest business aviation airport in Europe. It hosts numerous aerospace companies, maintenance facilities, and the headquarters of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Paris Air Show, organized by the International Exhibition of Aeronautics and Space (SIAE), is a major biennial economic event attracting global industry leaders like Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Boeing. Supporting sectors include logistics, hospitality, and convention services linked to the Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre.

Transport

Primary access is provided by the Paris–Le Bourget Airport, which handles no scheduled commercial traffic but is key for private and corporate flights. Road connections are robust via the A1 autoroute and the A86 autoroute. Public transport is served by the Le Bourget station on the Paris RER B line, offering direct links to Gare du Nord and Charles de Gaulle Airport. Several RATP bus lines connect it to surrounding communes like Bobigny and Saint-Denis. The Canal de l'Ourcq also provides minor freight transport links.

Culture and landmarks

The principal cultural institution is the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (Air and Space Museum), one of the world's oldest and largest aviation museums, located on the airport grounds and housing historic aircraft like the Concorde and Super Constellation. The Paris Air Show is a major cultural and technological spectacle. Historical landmarks include the Church of Saint-Nicolas, with origins in the 13th century, and the Hôtel de Ville (town hall). The Fort de l'Est, part of the 19th-century Thiers wall fortifications, is located nearby in Saint-Denis.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the commune include aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, who used the airfield for early flights. Resistance hero Georges Guynemer, a famed French Air Force ace, was stationed there during the First World War. Fictional character Tintin landed at the airport in the comic *The Adventures of Tintin*. More recently, politician Jean-Christophe Lagarde served as its mayor. The airport has welcomed countless historic figures, from Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart to statesmen and celebrities utilizing its business aviation services.

Category:Communes of Seine-Saint-Denis