Aulnay-sous-Bois is a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 13.9 km (8.6 miles) from the centre of Paris.

In October and November 2005, it gained national and international attention as one of the focuses of the French suburb riots.

Name

The name Aulnay comes from Medieval Latin alnetum, meaning "alder grove", after the alder trees (aulnes) covering the territory of Aulnay-sous-Bois in ancient times.

Originally called Aulnay-lès-Bondy (meaning "Aulnay near Bondy"), the commune was renamed Aulnay-sous-Bois (meaning "Aulnay under wood") on January 5, 1903. The wood mentioned in the name is the ancient Bondy Forest which covered most of the area to the northeast of Paris.

Demographics

Aulnay-sous-Bois isn't a poor town, the income per households is 18 000 $ in 2004 according to INSEE, the national average of income by household. Much of upper-middle class lives in houses in the South of town.So, the canton of Aulnay-Sud is very different of the canton of Aulnay-Nord, the population had a better education or better wages. For examples incomes in the South of the town are about 24 000 and 30 000 $ in 2004, the average of income in France, the same year, was about 18 000$. In fact there is much HLM in the North of the town.

Immigration

Transport

Aulnay-sous-Bois is served by Aulnay-sous-Bois station on Paris RER line B.

Administration

Aulnay-sous-Bois is divided into two cantons:

• The canton of Aulnay sous Bois Nord (North): 55,298 inhabitants (69.1%);
• The canton of (South) Aulnay sous Bois Sud: 24,723 inhabitants (30.9%).

External links

• Official website