Last modified: 2026-01-31 by olivier touzeau
Keywords: ile-saint-denis(l') | seine-saint-denis |
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![[Flag]](../images/f/fr-93-is.gif)
Flag of L'Île-Saint-Denis - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 10 December 2025
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L'Île-Saint-Denis (8,682 inhabitants, 177 ha) is a French commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, Île-de-France, at 9.4 km from the centre of Paris. The commune is entirely contained on an island of the Seine, hence its name.
The history of Île-Saint-Denis dates back to the Middle Ages, with the first traces of human occupation on the river island in the Seine. In the 10th century, Bouchard II (died 1020), known as Bouchard le Barbu, owned the central island, then called Île du Châtelet, on which he had built a fortress whose garrison terrorized the surrounding area. He extorted ransoms from all ships that passed nearby, particularly those belonging to the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Denis, which led to disputes. To put an end to their conflicts, King Robert the Pious offered Bouchard the Bearded the exchange of Île du Châtelet for the royal land of Montmorency. The agreement was accepted and finalized in 998, giving rise to the House of Montmorency.
In the 14th century, Charles V granted the island (then Île du
Châtelier) to the monks of Saint-Denis, and the island became known,
by association, as L'Isle-Saint-Denis. The abbey retained the lordship
until the French Revolution.
During the Revolution, L'Isle-Saint-Denis was briefly renamed
Isle-Franciade before reverting to its original name. It then adopted
the modern spelling Île instead of Isle.
The construction of suspension bridges in 1844 connected the island to
Saint-Denis and Gennevilliers, and then, in 1856, to Saint-Ouen. The
development of railway lines then encouraged Parisians to visit during
their weekend holidays. They came to enjoy the pleasures of the
countryside and leisure activities along the Seine, as well as to
drink and dance in the island's numerous open-air cafes and cabarets.
The industrialization of the 19th century profoundly transformed the
landscape, with factories and manufacturing plants establishing
themselves along the banks of the Seine. Île-Saint-Denis became a
major industrial center in the Paris region, with activities
particularly linked to metallurgy, chemicals, and shipbuilding.
Located on the river route between Paris and Le Havre, the island
boasted a busy port frequented by the merchant navy. Alongside
fishermen and bargemen, other professions were linked to the river,
such as laundresses and divers.
At the end of the 19th century, four islets were joined by draining
the branches of the Seine that separated them, creating the island as
we know it today.
In the 20th century, the town suffered the consequences of deindustrialization and had to reinvent itself. The rehabilitation of industrial brownfield sites and the construction of new housing mark this period of transition. Île-Saint-Denis is gradually transforming into a residential and leisure area, while retaining its island and river character. The area south of the A86 motorway is home to an eco-district, the construction of phases 2 and 3 of which took place as part of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village. The town hall, built in 1913, was burned down during the urban riots of June 2023.
Olivier Touzeau, 10 December 2025
The flag is white with the coat of arms (photo, 2025).
The arms of l'Île-Saint-Denis are blazoned :
Azure, a castle argent pierced and masoned sable extended by walls
argent masoned sable, open of the field, and on a chief Or, a cross
gules between 4 alerions azure.
They show the original fortress and the coat of arms of the House of
Montmorency.
Olivier Touzeau, 03 November 2025