Val-de-Marne Facts for Kids

Val-de-Marne department

The coat of arms of Val-de-Marne

Val-de-Marne is a special area in the middle of France. It is called a "department" and is part of the larger Île-de-France region. Its main city, where the local government is, is Créteil. In 2006, about 1.2 million people lived here. Val-de-Marne is very close to Paris, making it an important part of the greater Paris area.

Where is Val-de-Marne?
- Location and Neighbors
- Rivers and Green Spaces
What is Val-de-Marne Known For?
- Famous Castles and Parks
- Fun Places to Visit
How is Val-de-Marne Governed?
- Local Government
- Important Decisions
A Bit of History
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Where is Val-de-Marne?

Val-de-Marne is located just southeast of the city of Paris. It is one of the departments that make up the Île-de-France region. This region is like a big circle around Paris.

Location and Neighbors

Val-de-Marne shares its borders with several other departments. To the north, it touches Paris itself. It also borders Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Essonne, and Hauts-de-Seine. Being so close to Paris means it is a busy and lively place.

Rivers and Green Spaces

The department gets its name from the Marne River, which flows through it. The word "Val" means valley, so "Val-de-Marne" means "Valley of the Marne." Another important river, the Seine River, also runs through this area. Even though it is close to a big city, Val-de-Marne has many parks and green spaces. These areas offer places for people to relax and enjoy nature.

What is Val-de-Marne Known For?

Val-de-Marne has many interesting places to visit. It mixes old history with modern life. There are beautiful castles, famous parks, and fun places for families.

Famous Castles and Parks

One of the most famous places is the Château de Vincennes. This is a large medieval castle that used to be a royal residence. It has a very tall keep, which is a strong tower. Another beautiful spot is the Roseraie de L'Haÿ. This is a famous rose garden with thousands of different types of roses. It is a wonderful place to see colorful flowers.

Fun Places to Visit

For those who love animals, the Paris Zoological Park (formerly Vincennes Zoo) is a great attraction. You can see many different animals from all over the world there. If you are interested in horse racing, the Vincennes Racecourse is a well-known place for trot races. These are races where horses pull a driver in a small cart.

How is Val-de-Marne Governed?

Like all departments in France, Val-de-Marne has its own local government. This government helps manage public services and make decisions for the people living there.

Local Government

The department is run by a group called the Departmental Council. The people who are part of this council are elected by the citizens of Val-de-Marne. They work together to decide how to spend money and what projects to support. The main office for this government is in Créteil.

Important Decisions

The Departmental Council makes decisions about many things. These include building and maintaining roads, managing schools, and helping with social services. They also work on environmental projects and support local culture and sports. Their goal is to improve the lives of the people in Val-de-Marne.

A Bit of History

Val-de-Marne is a relatively new department. It was created in 1968. Before that, the area was part of the larger Seine department. The French government decided to split up the old Seine department into smaller ones. This was done to make local government easier to manage. Since then, Val-de-Marne has grown and developed into a busy and important part of the Île-de-France region.