Chapter 1: Introduction to Goussainville

What’s it like living near an airport? This question had never crossed my mind until my visit to Le Vieux-Pays de Goussainville, a village largely deserted since the 1970s. My curiosity about urban exploration was piqued, and after relocating to France, I felt compelled to explore a place that had lost 97% of its population overnight.

I took a tram to Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, and then boarded a train heading to the village, which had been mostly acquired by the nearby Charles de Gaulle Airport, just five kilometers away. Initially, I stood at the train door, but as the landscape transitioned to lush greenery, I finally found a seat.

Armed with my old Ricoh GRII, a point-and-shoot camera that had seen better days after a mishap in the snow, I intended to document the desolate beauty of Goussainville. Although my camera was damaged, I decided it was fitting to use a neglected device to capture images of abandoned structures. I managed to set it to a positive film simulation for a nostalgic Kodachrome effect.

Chapter 2: Arrival and Initial Impressions

Upon arriving in Goussainville, I headed south toward the old village, passing a Lidl and a McDonald’s. It struck me as amusing that even in such an isolated area, fast food was readily available. After a quick meal, I ventured toward the path leading to Le Vieux-Pays de Goussainville.

Crossing a busy road proved trickier than expected, as I learned I had to press a button to change the pedestrian light—a clear indication of how infrequently people crossed there. Once on the other side, I immediately encountered the town’s eerie atmosphere.

Abandoned houses sprang up around me almost instantly; it was surprising how quickly I entered what felt like a ghost town. Many homes were boarded up, with doors and windows bricked up or left vulnerable to the elements, showcasing a level of decay I could hardly fathom.

Despite the desolation, some buildings showed signs of life. A school nearby featured cheerful cartoon characters, indicating that some residents remained. This juxtaposition of abandonment and life added to the town's haunting allure.

The emptiness amplified the loneliness I felt. Being surrounded by abandoned structures felt more isolating than being alone in a solitary building. The atmosphere evoked a sense of eeriness reminiscent of Tarkovsky's films, where the abandoned homes created a surreal experience.

Section 2.1: Exploring the Heart of the Village

Continuing my walk, I encountered walls and buildings covered in graffiti, a testament to the passage of time and the creativity of street artists. I stumbled upon a church and a cemetery, where the state of the graves reflected the village's neglect.

Upon entering the cathedral, I discovered a group of people having lunch inside. While I initially intended to take photographs, the number of visitors deterred me.

Chapter 3: The Struggle for Survival

Leaving the cathedral, I encountered a bustling market, filled with vendors and the sounds of jazz music. It was surprising to find such vibrancy amidst a place often labeled as abandoned. However, the constant drone of planes overhead reminded me why Goussainville was so sparsely populated.

According to the Roissy tourism board, the village once housed 10,000 residents. After the airport's expansion, nearly all but 300 residents accepted buyouts. The remaining structures were preserved due to the cathedral's historical status, creating a paradox: too historic to demolish, yet too disruptive to inhabit.

The noise from the planes was relentless, occurring every couple of minutes, and I couldn't help but ponder how those who remained in Goussainville managed with such an intrusion.

Section 3.1: The Mansion and Its Mystique

I wandered into an open field where a crumbling mansion stood, overtaken by nature. It looked as though parts of the roof had collapsed, and graffiti marred its walls. Even the promotional posters surrounding the property were in a state of disrepair, mirroring the neglect of the area.

After exploring the mansion, I spotted more planes soaring overhead, a constant reminder of the airport's presence. The noise was overwhelming, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of being in a unique place that teetered between history and decay.

The first video offers an immersive look into the lost village just outside Paris, highlighting its haunting beauty and history.

The second video serves as a guide to the lesser-known aspects of Paris, including Goussainville, adding depth to the exploration of this ghost town.

In conclusion, after a day filled with exploration, I returned to the train station, reflecting on a village that, despite its emptiness, still held echoes of life.