Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Villennes beach, located on the island of Platais in Médan, is a project born in the early 1930s under the impetus of Rigobert Cromeck and Joseph Willem. Seduced by this natural site and carried by the hygienist ideas of the time, which advocated the benefits of sport and outdoor activities, they decided to create a space dedicated to aquatic welfare and leisure. This current, which was very present in the inter-war period, was intended to improve public health through sport and exposure to a healthy environment.

Inauguration in 1935, the artificial beach included a large sandy area, a swimming pool and a children's pool, designed by architects Paul-Edmond and Lucien Bourgeois. They also imagined a main building with lines inspired by the ships, sheltering terraces, change cabins, a restaurant, a bar and a store. The complex was complemented by tennis courts and sandstones, offering a variety of physical activities. The architecture, both functional and aesthetic, reflected the modern aspirations of the time.

The group remained active until 2003, marking almost seveny years of attendance by local residents. In 2009, parts of the site were protected by an inscription to the Historic Monuments, including the facades and roofs of the main building, two cabins, the basins and the pier. This classification underscores the heritage importance of this place as a witness to the social and architectural practices of the twentieth century.

Today, Villennes Beach embodies a sporty, architectural and cultural heritage. Its history illustrates the evolution of leisure in France, between hygienism, modernity and accessibility, while recalling the influence of social movements on the development of public spaces. The site, owned by a private company, remains a symbol of the progressive ambitions of the 1930s.

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