Asnières-sur-Seine, formerly Asnières, industrial suburb of Paris (1990 pop. 71,850), Hauts-de-Seine dept., N central France, on the Seine River. Boats and perfumes are the major manufactures.

Asnières-sur-Seine (anjɛʁ) is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 7.9 km. (4.9 miles) from the center of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe.

Name

Asnières-sur-Seine was originally called simply Asnières. The name Asnières was recorded for the first time in a papal bull of 1158 as Asnerias, from Medieval Latin asinaria, meaning "donkey farm". The poor soil of Asnières, where heather grew in Medieval times, was probably deemed only suitable for the breeding of donkeys.

On February 15, 1968 the name of the commune became officially Asnières-sur-Seine (meaning "Asnières upon Seine"), in order to distinguish it from other communes of France also called Asnières.

Demographics

Immigration

Administration

Asnières-sur-Seine is divided into two cantons:

• Asnières-sur-Seine-Nord: 43,453 inhabitants (57.3% of the total).
• Asnières-sur-Seine-Sud: 32,384 inhabitants (42.7% of the total).

Economy

• L'Oréal - cosmetics
• Lucas
• Lesieur
• Louis Vuitton - luxury products

Transport

Asnières-sur-Seine is served by Gabriel Péri - Asnières - Gennevilliers station on Paris Métro Line 13

It is also served by Asnières-sur-Seine station on the Transilien Paris – Saint-Lazare suburban rail line.

Trivia

The Post-impressionist painting by Georges-Pierre Seurat Bathers at Asnières depicts a scene of 19th century leisure and developing industry in this suburb of Paris.

The Cimetière des Chiens is believed to be the first zoological necropolis in the world.

External links

(in French)

• Asnières-sur-Seine official website