Hauts de Seine (92): Living in the Suburb West of Paris

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Editor’s note: If you haven’t read the first of this series, Paris and its suburbs, head over there now. We’ll go through the criteria that we selected to compare, what benchmarks we’re using, and a note of caution about how to interpret the results. You won’t want to miss it!

The Hauts de Seine department in the region of Île-de-France is one of the most popular suburbs of Paris. But it isn’t particularly “green” or particularly “cheap” (although it is slightly cheaper than Paris). And if you are looking for a house, you may have to keep on looking.

Most of the communes that border Paris, like Boulogne-Billancourt, Courbovoie, and Neuilly-sur-Seine have less than 2% of houses in their residential market. And yet prices for apartments in certain areas are nearly as much as they are in Paris.

So what gives? In a word: Place de la Défense. If you are looking at moving to France and living on the west side of Paris, there’s a decent chance that you are looking here because you are working in La Défense (the red point in the map below). It is the largest financial district in Grand Paris, it tends to dominate the Hauts-de-Seine.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to work in La Défense in order to live in the Hauts-de-Seine. The area benefits from good public transportation, good government services, easy access into Paris, and prices that tend to be lower than in the Parisian métropole.

Best Suburbs in this area

Overall the percentage of housing in Hauts-de-Seine compared to apartments is around 55% per Insee. But as I said before, some communes such as Neuilly sur Seine and Boulogne Billancourt have mostly residential apartments.

These are two of the most expensive areas in Hauts-de-Seine, as they are right on the border of Paris. They both have the charm of the Haussmannian-style buildings and the multiple stops on the Parisian metro. If you commute to La Défense however, Boulogne will probably take you 2-3 changes on the metro, which is less than ideal

Another interesting point is the number of households that have at least one car. The % of car ownership by commune is in the criteria below, but in general, in the Hauts-de-Seine, the percentage is around 66% (per Insee). This compared to Paris, which is at 35%.

So you may not get a house in Haut-de-Seine for your French family, but there is a good chance you will have a parking spot to be able to get a car. (And depending on where you are, you may need it!)

For public bilingual schools, Sévres has the well-established Sections Internationales de Sèvres (SIS). The demand for spots is quite high in the area.

More recently, the French government has opened several international sections in Courbevoie, the commune that is right next to La Défense. These sections have opened over the past couple of years in maternelle, primary, middle school as well as high school level. A European school has opened in the area as well.

NOTES:
All information has been provided for entertainment purposes only, and we are not responsible for verifying the accuracy of the figures noted below. Caution: Use at own risk !

1. Brevet scores will vary from classroom to classroom and school to school, and year to year. Calulation is a “rough average” of Public school data, which is subject to interpretation and changes over time.

2. Population Data is from Insee Public Statistics and is subject to change.

3. Metro, RER and other public transport links are based on current state of public transportion (Oct 2019), and not future plans that under construction.

4. Greenery distinctions include “Fleurie” designation by the “Site officiel du Label Villes et Villages Fleuris” and is subject to personal interpretation.

Antony

Postal code: 92160
Population (rounded): 62300
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 33 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 80 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: No
RER: B
Transilien: No
Tramway: No
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 93 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): None

Asnières-sur-Seine

Postal code: 92600
Population (rounded): 86000
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 9 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 59 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: Y
RER: None
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 93 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 1 🌱

Bagneux

Postal code: 92220
Population (rounded): 39800
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 10 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 62 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.4
Metro: None
RER: B
Transilien: None
Tramway: None
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 81 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): None
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱

Bois-Colombes

Postal code: 92270
Population (rounded): 28400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 20 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 64 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway:
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Boulogne-Billancourt

Postal code: 92100
Population (rounded): 119700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 2 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 60 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: Bois de Boulogne and Parc Saint Cloud
Notable Landmarks: Musée Albert-Kahn
Comments from locals: Great town, but almost as expensive as Paris! Very good metro access into Paris.

Bourg-la-Reine

Postal code: 92340
Population (rounded): 20600
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 19 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 69 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: none
RER: B
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Châtenay-Malabry

Postal code: 92290
Population (rounded): 33100
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 11 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 78 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: B
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 92 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Notable Landmarks: House of the famous writer François-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand: Maison de Chateaubriand
Comments from locals: It’s a little far from the train station

Châtillon

Postal code: 92320
Population (rounded): 36800
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 14 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 72 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Chaville

Postal code: 92370
Population (rounded): 20400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 25 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 77 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 88 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Collège Jean Moulin
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱

Clamart

Postal code: 92140
Population (rounded): 52600
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 28 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 76 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 97 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱

Clichy

Postal code: 92110
Population (rounded): 60400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 1 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 47 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 89 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 1 🌱

Colombes

Postal code: 92700
Population (rounded): 85400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 26 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 65 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.4
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 89 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 2 🌱🌱
Comments from locals: “Transports are not that great. There are buses and T2 and train to Paris but it is missing an underground station. The population is very diverse : some nice neighborhoods and some rough ones. The city center is relatively nice but quite small.School are not great. Especially collège (middle School) onwards : the only decent school is the private school and it is very hard to get in.”

Courbevoie

Postal code: 92400
Population (rounded): 81800
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 3 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 62 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: A
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Several schools with American, British, and other language sections , Ecole l’Europeenne , Beautiful Minds Montessori Courbovoie (Private)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 4 🌱🌱🌱🌱
Notable Landmarks: Next to La Defense business area, Very large shopping mall Westfield 4 Temps and CNIT
Comments from locals: Does not have the charm of Paris, but very practical location, with good schools. La Defense business area is very quiet at night time and on weekends, and not the nicest to hang around. La Defense can be scary to walk through at night, from the metro and RER.

Fontenay-aux-Roses

Postal code: 92260
Population (rounded): 24200
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 17 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 72 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: none
RER: B
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 88 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Garches

Postal code: 92380
Population (rounded): 17700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 23 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 82 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 99 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Gennevilliers

Postal code: 92230
Population (rounded): 46700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 9 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 60 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.5
Metro: Y
RER: C
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 89 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱 and Parc des Chanteraines (75 hectares)

Issy-les-Moulineaux

Postal code: 92130
Population (rounded): 68400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 6 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 62 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: C
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Institut Notre-Dame (Private)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Comments from locals: One local commented: There’s a lot of concrete, but the parks are within walking distance.

La Garenne-Colombes

Postal code: 92250
Population (rounded): 29300
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 10 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 68 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 94 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Rainbow School Paris (Private)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Le Plessis-Robinson

Postal code: 92350
Population (rounded): 29100
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 10 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 83 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: B
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Levallois-Perret

Postal code: 92300
Population (rounded): 63500
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 1 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 55 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 93 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Comments from locals: On the metro line, so very popular destination. One of the most densely packed communes in France. Nearly as popular and expensive as Neuilly Sur Seine and Boulogne Billancourt.

Malakoff

Postal code: 92240
Population (rounded): 30000
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 14 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 54 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 99 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 1 🌱

Marnes-la-Coquette

Postal code: 92430
Population (rounded): 1900
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 64 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 91 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.7
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Meudon

Postal code: 92190/92360
Population (rounded): 45400
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 14 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 76 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: C
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 94 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 1 🌱
Notable Landmarks: Terrasse de l’Observatoire de Meudon (Astronomy Observatory)

Montrouge

Postal code: 92120
Population (rounded): 49200
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 4 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 54 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 85 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱

Nanterre

Postal code: 92000
Population (rounded): 94300
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 14 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 62 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.4
Metro: none
RER: A
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 83 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 2 🌱🌱

Neuilly-sur-Seine

Postal code: 92200
Population (rounded): 60600
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 3 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 66 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: none
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 96 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Liceo español Luis Buñuel (Private), Marymount International School (Private).
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: Bois de Boulogne
Notable Landmarks: Next to Jardin d’acclimatation and Fondation Louis Vuitton (art museum) which are in Bois de Boulogne. La Defense business area is on the other side of bridge crossing the Seine. (Easily walkable). The famous Ile de Jatte (island) and its residential homes.
Comments from locals: Wealthy familial commune, with the same house prices as Paris. On Metro line 1, so direct access into Paris. Great schools, and good parks nearby.

Puteaux

Postal code: 92800
Population (rounded): 44700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 3 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 63 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: Y
RER: A
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 90 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Beautiful Minds Montessori Puteaux (Private)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱
Notable Landmarks: Next to La Defense business area. Very large shopping mall Westfield 4 Temps and CNIT, Green space is Ile de Puteaux and Bois de Boulogne which is quite close.
Comments from locals: La Defense business area is very quiet at night time and on weekends, and not the nicest to hang around. La Defense can be scary to walk through at night, from the metro and RER.

Rueil-Malmaison

Postal code: 92500
Population (rounded): 78200
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 23 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 79 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: A
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 89 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Lycée Richelieu
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Notable Landmarks: Chateau de Malmaison, where Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon Bonaparte) lived.
Comments from locals: Very large commune, with a cute centreville. The commune is very large, so parts of it are quite far from the RER station. Many companies located here.

Saint-Cloud

Postal code: 92210
Population (rounded): 30200
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 15 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 75 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: C
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 98 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): American School of Paris (Private), Ecole Allemande Internationale de Paris (Private)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: Large Park called Domaine National de Saint-Cloud
Notable Landmarks: 3 day Rock-en-Seine festival once a year at the Park Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.

Sceaux

Postal code: 92330
Population (rounded): 19500
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 21 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 73 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.2
Metro: none
RER: B
Transilien: none
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 99 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Notable Landmarks: Musee du Domaine Departemental de Sceaux
Comments from locals: 25 mins to center of Paris. Lots of green space, but no shopping malls nearby.

Sèvres

Postal code: 92310
Population (rounded): 23700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 21 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 76 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 94 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): Sections Internationales de Sèvres (SIS)
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none
Comments from locals: One local commented: Pedestrian ways are very tiny and the city has slopes and stairs everywhere (not easy for prams, wheelchairs or scooters).

Suresnes

Postal code: 92150
Population (rounded): 48700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 12 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 70 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.3
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 92 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱
Notable Landmarks: Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Le Mont-Valerien French Memorial to Resistance Martyrs
Comments from locals: One person commented that there were no shops, no parks within walking distance. Quick access to La Defense by Translilien.

Vanves

Postal code: 92170
Population (rounded): 27900
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 8 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 60 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.1
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 96 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 3 🌱🌱🌱
Comments from locals: One person commented that there are not a lot of shops, other than for the daily essentials. She also misses a nice coffee place. However she likes the village feel of the town, and the fact that there is a big park. The city organises lots of activities for young families.

Vaucresson

Postal code: 92420
Population (rounded): 8700
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 31 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 89 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.4
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 99 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: 1 🌱

Ville-d’Avray

Postal code: 92410
Population (rounded): 11600
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 15 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 81 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.4
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: Y
Tramway: none
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 91 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: none

Villeneuve-la-Garenne

Postal code: 92390
Population (rounded): 24300
% of Houses (vs apartments) in the Commune: 7 %
% of families having at least 1 car: 64 %
Average family size (average number of occupants per residence principal): 2.7
Metro: none
RER: none
Transilien: none
Tramway: Y
French Public School – Brevet Avg: 84 %
Bilingual School (Primary school and higher): none
Greenery “Fleurie” distinction: Parc des Chanteraines (75 hectares)
Comments from locals: One woman notes that it is not very charming.

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Public Transport and the RER A

Since the finance industry is implanted in this area, many of the transport links like the Transilien and Tramway, prioritize access to La Défense. The main train line here is the RER A that runs from the East side of Paris into La Défense and beyond. Many companies have placed themselves along the RER A line, from La Défense to Rueil-Malmaison.

And while there are often strikes and other outages with the RER and Metro, generally they try to prioritize RER A to keep it going (more often than RER B at any rate!)

In addition,several public transportations projects are in the works at the moment, which are expected to be finished before the 2024 Olympics in Paris:

There is a new line RER E which is currently being built to transport commuters from the Northern suburbs to La Défense.
Two new metro lines, #14 running into Paris and #15 running on the outskirts of Paris.
5 new tramway lines extensions across the Hauts-de-Seine.

Greenery

Most of the people I surveyed said there was a small park or green space near where they lived. So to identify what communes were “green”, I have noted the Ville Fleurie distinction that was given by the government association Le Conseil National des Villes et Villages Fleuris. They denote if the town has received the designation, and how many plants (1-4) the town has received.

The results are interesting because towns such as Paris and Neuilly-Sur-Seine have not received the label “Ville Fleurie” (or not applied for it?). Both cities, however, have next to them the large Bois de Boulogne forest.

So you can see that this isn’t a very precise distinction. But as public records don’t show the number of park spaces per town, this is the best basis of comparison there is, at the moment. As is the case for the Collège Brévet scores, you have to do your own due diligence.

If you are looking for more greenery and a house with a backyard, but still want to stay in the West of Paris, you might also want to look at the Yvelines. It likely won’t be cheaper but it will definitely be more green.

As well, the Eastern Suburb Val de Marne which is also on RER A, will easily get you to central Paris and La Défense (if that is your priority). And of course, you can have another look at our other neighborhoods in Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis and more. Good luck and à bientôt!