Travel Guide Creil

A railway hub half an hour from the Gare du Nord, Creil is not at first sight the most attractive town to visit. Marked by a sad post-war architecture and a development of working-class neighborhoods that give it a bad reputation, the town is trying to regain some of its former lustre, with symbols such as the successful rehabilitation of the Art Deco swimming pool or the dynamism of a theater in place of the old earthenware factory. The small port on the Oise was transformed by the industrial revolution. The arrival of the railroads in the 19th century led to the establishment of several heavy industries and exponential population growth. Creil was severely damaged during the Second World War, then suffered cruelly from the closure of major factories in the 1980s and 1990s. The Rivierre clouterie is one of the few that has survived to the present day, specializing in the manufacture of clouter. The industrial heritage of this area is well showcased. Vestiges of pre-war Creil can be found around Île Saint-Maurice, at the tip of which you'll discover the Temple d'Amour, a charming 18th-century kiosk. This area has regained its appeal with the new Nelson-Mandela footbridge, which encourages walking between the Rouher district and the railway station via the Île Saint-Maurice. Discover the new Ec'Eau Port district: it's a great place to stroll and a pleasant place to visit.