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Bezons
Bezons
from Wikipedia

Bezons (French pronunciation: [bəzɔ̃] ) is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 12.6 km (7.8 mi) from the centre of Paris.

Key Information

History

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The new Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville was completed in 2015.[3]

Population

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Transport

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An extension of the tramway line T2 to Pont de Bezons opened in 2012. With Bezons not served by any stations on the Paris Métro, RER, or suburban rail network, the extension enhanced the connectivity of Bezons to the Paris public transport network. The closest train station is Houilles–Carrières-sur-Seine located in the neighbouring commune of Houilles, 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the town centre of Bezons.

Majdi Al-Rimawi controversy

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In March 2013, the convicted killer of Israeli general and far-right politician Rehavam Ze'evi, Majdi Al-Rimawi, was named an "honorary resident" of Bezons.[6][7][8] Majdi Al-Rimawi is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2001 murder of Rehavam Ze'evi.

According to Bezons monthly newsletter, the honouring of Rimawi was the result of a unanimous decision by the Bezons local council, which described his crime as "defending his town and its inhabitants, calling for the application of international law for the establishment of Palestine to the 1967 borders as recognised by the United Nations, and Jerusalem as its capital." The decision and the newsletter made no mention of Ze'evi's killing.[7][9]

In February 2013, Rimawi's son, daughter and wife were presented with the plaque honouring Rimawi at the ceremony attended by Lesparre.[9][10]

The Mayor of Bezons, Dominique Lesparre, a member of the French Communist Party who has previously supported left-wing figures, stated that honouring Rimawi is a "strong political act" related to the "colonisation of the Palestinian people". On his website, Lesparre describes Rimawi as being "jailed for 10 years for taking part with his people in the struggle to resist the occupation of their country". The website reportedly contains no mention of Rehavam Ze'evi's murder. Lesparre claimed that "For these acts of resistance, he was jailed in 2002 for life + 80 years" and described him as one of many Palestinians who has been "imprisoned for daring to defend their country".[7] Lesparre also stated that "Majdi draws his strength from the Palestinian struggle and the solidarity demonstrations throughout the world".[10] Lesparre later stated that honouring Al-Rimawi was part of a "tradition of peace, solidarity and cooperation with the Palestinian people".

Lesparre was sharply criticized by Moshe Kantor, who stated that "It is inconceivable that an elected official can be so ignorant as to call a cold-blooded murderer a victim" and described the decision "outrageous and horrific".[11] The Israeli Foreign Ministry also criticized the decision, stating that it was "humanly outrageous to honor a convicted murderer, no political view can justify it".[12] Ron Prosor, who serves as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, sharply condemned what he described as the "glorification of terrorists who deliberately murder innocent civilians" and questioned whether or not Bezons' will also grant citizenship to Anders Behring Breivik or Osama bin Laden. Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League stated, "This award is an insult to the French concept of justice and liberty and a perversion of French values" and charged that Bezons "is callously encouraging more violence against Jews".[13][14][15][16]

Lesparre subsequently accused critics of the town's decision of "hatred" and "complicity in occupation" while claiming that "It strengthens our resolve to defend the noble and just Palestinian cause". Regarding Israel's opposition to the Bezons' honouring of Al-Rimawi, Lesparre stated:"It does not surprise us that this act of solidarity invokes hostile reactions by some of the participants of the occupation of Palestinian territories. Any criticism of Israeli leaders or reference to the Palestinians' suffering is systematically condemned as anti-Semitic."[17]

In December 2014, a court ruled that the town must remove the plaque honoring Al Rimawi and declared that the Bezons' grant of honorary citizenship to Al Rimawi was invalid.[18][19]

Education

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There are eight preschools (maternelles): Marcel-Cachin, Paul-Vaillant-Couturier, Paul-Langevin, Karl-Marx, Louise-Michel, Gabriel-Péri, Jacques-Prévert, and Victor-Hugo; as well as nine elementary schools: Marcel-Cachin, Marie-Claude et Paul Vaillant-Couturier, Paul-Langevin, Karl-Marx, Louise-Michel 1, Louise-Michel 2, Victor-Hugo 1, and Victor-Hugo 2; and a single primary school, École primaire Angela-Davis.[20]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Bezons is a commune in the department of the region in northern , positioned on the right bank of the River in the northwestern suburbs of .
Covering an area of 4.16 square kilometers, it recorded a of 34,314 residents in 2022, yielding a of 8,249 inhabitants per square kilometer that reflects its integration into the metropolitan area's urban fabric.
Originally a rural settlement, Bezons underwent industrialization during the second half of the through the establishment of rubber and factories alongside a , which spurred population growth and economic activity tied to its proximity to the capital.
In the 20th century, particularly after , the local economy shifted from manufacturing toward service sectors, aligning with broader suburban development patterns in .

Geography

Location and Administrative Divisions

Bezons is a commune in the department of the region in northern . It lies approximately 10 kilometers northwest of , on the right bank of the River. The commune borders the departments of to the south and to the west. The geographic coordinates of Bezons are approximately 48.926° N, 2.218° E. Administratively, Bezons is part of the arrondissement of . The commune is subdivided into several quartiers primarily defined by major roadways, including Nouveau Bezons, Centre, Colombier, , Les Chênes, and Le Plateau.

Physical Features and Climate

Bezons occupies a land area of 4.16 km² in the of the , with elevations ranging from a minimum of 22 meters to a maximum of 52 meters above and an average altitude of approximately 36 meters. The terrain is predominantly flat and low-lying, shaped by sedimentary deposits from the nearby River, which delineates the commune's southern boundary and contributes to its vulnerability to fluvial flooding. Urban development has extensively modified the natural landscape, incorporating residential, industrial, and infrastructural elements over what was historically fertile floodplain , with no prominent hills or geological features disrupting the level . The climate of Bezons is classified as oceanic (Köppen Cfb), characterized by moderate temperatures, frequent precipitation, and four distinct seasons, consistent with the broader Île-de-France region's temperate maritime influences moderated by continental air masses. Average annual precipitation totals approximately 744 mm, distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with wetter conditions in autumn and winter contributing to occasional flooding risks along the . Summer months ( to August) feature comfortable highs averaging 22–25°C and lows around 13–15°C, while winters (December to February) see average highs of 6–9°C and lows dipping to 1–3°C, rarely falling below -3°C. Winds are more prevalent in winter, enhancing the perception of chill, and predominates from late autumn through early spring, limiting extreme heat or cold snaps compared to inland continental areas.

History

Origins and Medieval Period

The etymology of Bezons remains uncertain, though local traditions attribute it to a Frankish landowner named Boso who controlled lands in the vicinity during the . The first historical reference to the settlement, recorded as Bezuns, dates to 1196, when the Abbey of Saint-Denis purchased its port on the right bank of the , establishing it as a modest fluvial outpost amid rural . This acquisition underscores the site's early economic role in riverine transport and trade, linking it to the abbey's extensive regional holdings. The Abbey of Saint-Martin de also maintained influence over Bezons during this era, reflecting ecclesiastical dominance in local feudal structures. Archaeological evidence from sites like La Tête du Pont confirms continuous occupation through the medieval period, alongside traces from the and antiquity, though Bezons itself appears to have developed primarily as an agrarian appendage to larger domains rather than an independent center. By the late , in , the area comprised just twelve peasant-occupied houses, indicative of a sparse, subsistence-based vulnerable to feudal obligations and seasonal Seine flooding. This limited scale persisted amid broader Capetian consolidation, with no records of significant fortifications, markets, or noble residences predating the , aligning with patterns of peripheral Seine-valley hamlets subordinated to abbatial authority.

Industrialization and 20th-Century Growth

The industrialization of Bezons commenced in the mid-19th century along the River, shifting the commune from an agrarian economy dominated by cereals, vines, and early vegetables to . A pivotal development occurred in with the establishment of the first on the river's banks, initiating urban expansion eastward and attracting workers to the area. This facility expanded by 1877, exemplifying the early chemical and material processing industries that leveraged the for transport and resources. Subsequent industrial establishments reinforced this trajectory, including a shipyard that employed nearly 300 workers and an engine factory, alongside ventures in elevators and metalworking. These sectors capitalized on Bezons' proximity to Paris, approximately 12 kilometers northwest, facilitating labor inflows and material supply via rail and river links. The resultant economic pull generated a 60% population surge from 1871 to 1891, elevating the commune from around 500 residents post-Revolution to several thousand, and prompting civic investments like the first school, town hall, gas infrastructure, and postal services by the late 19th century. Throughout the , Bezons solidified as a proletarian enclave, with sustained industrial output underpinning demographic stability and expansion amid national reconstruction efforts post-World Wars. Employment in Seine-adjacent zones, encompassing rubber processing, , and ancillary , supported a that reached 24,019 by , reflecting cumulative growth from late-19th-century foundations despite intermittent dips, such as a 4.7% decline between 1975 and 1982 tied to broader pressures. By mid-century, the commune hosted over 130 industrial establishments across 70 hectares, employing thousands in equipment, automotive, and related fields, though a gradual tertiarization began eroding traditional roles. This era cemented Bezons' identity as a key node in Paris's industrial periphery, balancing worker housing with production until post-1960s shifts.

Post-War Development

Bezons sustained considerable damage from Allied aerial bombings during , as part of broader attacks on industrial targets in the Paris suburbs, including sites along the River. Local reconstruction plans, formulated between 1941 and 1966, addressed these destructions in industrial-heavy communes such as Bezons, prioritizing repairs to factories, , and housing while incorporating early modernizations to support resumed production. In the immediate post-war years, Bezons integrated into France's national reconstruction drive, leveraging its pre-existing industrial base—particularly chemical and facilities—to fuel economic recovery. This period aligned with the (1945–1975), during which the commune experienced sustained industrial expansion, attracting workers and reinforcing its identity as a manufacturing hub amid France's rapid GDP growth and . A defining feature of post-war development was the accelerated construction of housing from 1949 to 1975, driven by acute national shortages exacerbated by wartime displacement and baby boom demographics. This led to a proliferation of collective dwellings, including social housing (HLM), which altered the commune's urban fabric by increasing density and shifting from individual homes to multi-story blocks, though it also entrenched socioeconomic imbalances tied to rapid, state-directed builds. By the late 1970s, these efforts had transformed Bezons from a semi-rural industrial outpost into a denser suburban entity, setting the stage for later tertiary sector transitions.

Demographics

Population Dynamics

The population of Bezons has grown from 24,475 inhabitants in 1968 to 34,314 in 2022, reflecting a long-term increase of approximately 40% driven primarily by suburban expansion and urban redevelopment near . This growth has not been uniform, with periods of stagnation and decline interspersed with accelerations tied to economic opportunities and housing developments.
YearPopulationAverage Annual Growth Rate (from prior census)
196824,475-
197525,193+0.4%
198224,019-0.7%
199025,680+0.8%
199926,263+0.2%
200928,012+0.6%
201428,431+0.3%
202031,866+1.9% (2014–2020)
202234,314-
Early growth in the and stemmed from increase outweighing net outflows, but the population declined between 1975 and 1982 amid broader suburban migration patterns in the region, with negative net migration (-1.6%) dominating despite positive balance (+0.9%). Recovery from 1982 onward featured modest gains, supported by steady growth around 1% annually, though net migration remained negative until the . The sharp uptick from 2014 to 2020 (+1.9% average annual rate) resulted from combined increase (1.4%) and positive net inflows (0.5%), fueled by new residential projects such as the Cœur de , positioning Bezons among the fastest-growing communes in . This trend continued post-2020, with an 18.42% rise from 2016 to 2022, exceeding departmental averages due to its strategic location in the Parisis area and improvements.

Ethnic and Socioeconomic Composition

Bezons features a diverse in terms of birthplace and , reflecting patterns common in Parisian suburbs. According to the 2020 INSEE , 9,402 residents, or 29.5% of the total of 31,866, were immigrants—defined as individuals born outside regardless of . This proportion is concentrated among working-age adults, with 5,581 immigrants (59.4% of all immigrants) in the 25-54 age group, compared to just 361 children under 15. Foreign nationals, who must hold non-French , numbered approximately 3,800-4,000 based on consistent secondary aggregations of INSEE data, representing about 11.7% of the split roughly evenly by . Earlier 2008 INSEE figures indicated 32% immigrants and 19.4% foreign-born, with non-French nationals at 17.5-19.9% in designated sensitive urban zones (ZUS), underscoring sustained immigration-driven diversity primarily from and , though official statistics do not track ethnicity or second-generation origins. Socioeconomically, Bezons displays indicators of moderate deprivation relative to national averages. The 2022 unemployment rate stood at 12.6% for those aged 15-64, exceeding France's contemporaneous rate of around 7.5%, with an activity rate of 79.0% and employment rate of 69.1%. Among the active population, socio-professional categories (CSP) reveal a predominance of intermediate roles: cadres (managers and professionals) comprised 16.7%, while employees (including clerical and service workers) accounted for 20.4%, with higher shares implied in blue-collar ouvriers given the tertiary sector's 81% dominance in local employment. Median fiscal income per consumption unit was €21,450 in 2021, below the Île-de-France regional median, contributing to a poverty rate of 21% under the 60% median income threshold. Educational attainment includes 35.8% of adults with post-baccalauréat qualifications, though no-diploma rates reached 27-30% in 2008 data, correlating with youth unemployment exceeding 20% in prior assessments. Household structures emphasize families, with 22.0% of the 2022 population (34,314 total) under 15 and average household sizes around 2.5 persons, though 32.3% of households were single-person. Social housing constitutes about 37.6% of residences, supporting a policy focus on mixed-income development amid overrepresentation of immigrant families in lower-income brackets.

Government and Politics

Local Administration

The municipal council of Bezons, consisting of 35 members elected by for six-year terms, serves as the primary deliberative body responsible for local policy-making, budgeting, and decisions. The , elected by the council from its members, leads the executive functions, including administration of public services, enforcement of bylaws, and representation of . Nessrine Menhaouara has held the position of since July 2020, following her list "Bezons Ville d'Avenir" securing victory in the municipal elections with 1,897 votes in the second round. Affiliated with divers gauche, Menhaouara also serves as a departmental councilor for and a community councilor for the Agglomération Saint-Germain Boucles de Seine, where she holds the vice-presidency for attractiveness and new technologies. This marked a shift from the previous administration under Dominique Lesparre of the Parti communiste français, which had governed continuously since the 1920s until his resignation in 2020 amid internal party disputes. The council operates through regular sessions, as evidenced by meetings held on dates such as February 12, 2025, June 25, 2025, and October 13, 2025, where deliberations cover topics from to fiscal matters. In 2022, the of Versailles annulled several provisions of the council's internal regulations, ruling them illegal for infringing on councillors' to and vote freely, though the core administrative functions remained unaffected.

Political Orientation and Key Decisions

Bezons has maintained a left-wing political orientation throughout much of its modern history, with the (PCF) controlling the mayoralty from 1920 until the 2020 municipal elections. In those elections, held on June 28, 2020, following the first round on March 15 where PCF incumbent Dominique Lesparre received 27.64% of the vote, Socialist Party (PS) candidate Nessrine Menhaouara prevailed in the runoff, securing 24 of 35 seats and marking the first non-PCF leadership in a century. This shift reflected voter preferences for divers gauche policies amid longstanding communist dominance, though opposition from PCF and other left factions persisted, leading to alliances against the mayor by January 2021. The broader 5th constituency of , encompassing Bezons, reinforced this leftward tilt by electing (LFI) deputy Paul Vannier in the 2024 legislative elections. Under Menhaouara, elected for a six-year term in 2020 and also serving as a departmental councilor, key decisions have centered on urban governance and fiscal management. The administration launched a revised local urban development plan (Plan Local d'Urbanisme, PLU) to prioritize quality-oriented and responsive to , with debates commencing after a four-year delay noted in council proceedings. On October 7, 2025, the municipal council approved the first modification for 2025, addressing operational adjustments amid economic pressures. Internal frictions emerged in April 2025 when the second was stripped of duties following public criticism of the annual vote, highlighting divisions within the left-wing . These actions underscore a pragmatic yet contested approach to sustaining Bezons' social priorities in a diversifying .

Controversies Involving International Conflicts

In March 2013, the municipal council of Bezons, under Dominique Lesparre (PCF), granted to Majdi Irhima al-Rimawi, a Palestinian serving a life sentence in for his alleged role in the 2001 of Israeli Tourism Minister . The decision prompted sharp condemnation from Israeli officials, who labeled al-Rimawi a terrorist, and drew criticism from French Jewish organizations for appearing to endorse violence against Israelis. Lesparre defended the move as a of with Palestinian political prisoners, arguing it highlighted 's detention policies without endorsing criminal acts. On February 28, 2018, the council voted to recognize the State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with as its capital, aligning with similar resolutions in other French municipalities but escalating local tensions amid the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This followed the naming of "Allée de la Nakba" (Alley of the Catastrophe) to commemorate the 1948 displacement of approximately 700,000 during Israel's founding, a term used by Palestinian narratives to describe . The initiative, also under Lesparre, included a accusing of war crimes, prompting backlash from the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in (CRIF), which decried it as antisemitic revisionism that justified Palestinian militancy and ignored Jewish historical claims to the land. The city later removed the plaque and renamed the alley amid threats and protests, with Lesparre attributing the reversal to external pressure rather than reconsideration of the historical framing. Under current Mayor Nessrine Menhaouara (PS), elected in 2020, pro-Palestinian activism persisted, including a planned hoisting of the Palestinian flag at the town hall on September 22, 2025, to mark the International Day of Peace, which was abruptly canceled hours before, citing unspecified administrative reasons. The annulment sparked protests by around 50 residents outside city hall, who accused the administration of yielding to pro-Israel lobbying amid heightened Franco-Israeli diplomatic strains post-October 7, 2023. Critics, including opposition councilors, framed such gestures as consistent with Bezons' pattern of one-sided advocacy that overlooks Hamas's October 7 attacks, potentially fostering local divisions in a suburb with significant Muslim and Jewish populations. Menhaouara's office maintained the actions reflect humanitarian support for Palestinian self-determination, not endorsement of violence, though no formal council motions on Israeli security concerns have been recorded.

Economy and Infrastructure

Economic Activities

Bezons's economy is dominated by the tertiary sector, which accounted for 67.9% of the 12,954 local jobs in 2022, encompassing , transportation, and diverse services. , , and services followed with 18.1% of employment, while secondary sectors were smaller: at 7.4% and industry at 6.6%. No primary sector activity, such as , was recorded. The commune's 17,914 active residents (aged 15-64) yielded an rate of 69.1%, with an unemployment rate of 12.6%, higher among youth at 23.4%. Two principal activity zones along the , totaling 70 hectares, host 130 establishments employing around 3,800 workers, focusing on , chemicals, and advanced . The Argenteuil-Bezons area concentrates operations, contributing to over 4,000 departmental jobs in the sector as of recent regional assessments. Bezons also serves as a hub for and , including the headquarters of Worldline, a major payment processing firm. Despite local job availability, many residents commute to for work, reflecting the suburb's integration into the broader economy, where services and high-tech predominate over traditional industry. Recent closures, such as the PPG Sealants Europe site in 2021, highlight challenges in maintaining industrial footprint amid site scarcity.

Transportation Networks

Bezons lacks direct access to , RER, or train stations within its boundaries, relying instead on tramway and bus services for public transportation connectivity to the broader network. The primary rail-based link is the T2 tramway line, which terminates at Pont de Bezons station and extends southward to Porte de Versailles in , covering approximately 18 kilometers with 24 stops, including a key interchange at for and other lines. This extension to Pont de Bezons opened in December 2012, enhancing suburban access to central in about 45 minutes end-to-end. Bus routes operated by RATP and local providers supplement services, with lines such as 3, 6, 34, 272, 304, 262, 367, and night line N24 serving Bezons and connecting to nearby stations like Houilles-Carrières-sur-Seine for J and L trains. These routes facilitate links to , , and , integrating Bezons into the regional bus network managed by . Road infrastructure includes proximity to the N314 national road and the , providing vehicular access to via the business district, though public transport emphasis aligns with suburban density and environmental policies. Ongoing regional projects, such as a dedicated corridor from through Bezons to Sartrouville, aim to improve capacity and reliability on the north bank of the , with planning approved in 2024.

Education and Culture

Educational Institutions

Bezons maintains a public education system aligned with France's national framework, primarily serving residents from preschool through secondary levels under the Académie de Versailles. The commune operates eight primary schools (groupes scolaires) combining écoles maternelles (for children aged 3–6) and écoles élémentaires (ages 6–11), accommodating approximately 3,000 students as of recent enrollment data. These include notable institutions such as the Groupe Scolaire Paul Vaillant Couturier, which underwent renovation and expansion inaugurated on August 30, 2025, adding capacity for growing enrollment; École Maternelle et Élémentaire Victor Hugo; École Maternelle et Élémentaire Gabriel Péri; and École Élémentaire Karl Marx. Secondary education comprises two collèges (middle schools for ages 11–15): Collège Gabriel Péri and Collège Henri Wallon, both public and focused on general curriculum leading to the brevet des collèges exam. A new collège is under construction, with works commencing in the second quarter of 2024 to address demographic pressures from in the department. At the high school level (lycée), Bezons hosts Lycée Paulette Nardal, a polyvalent public institution formed in 2023 by merging the former Lycée Général Eugène Ronceray and Lycée Professionnel Le Grand Cerf, offering general, technological, and professional tracks for students aged 15–18 preparing for the . Enrollment stands at around 1,500 students, with programs emphasizing vocational training in sectors like industry and services reflective of the local economy. No higher education institutions, such as universities, are located within the commune; residents typically access facilities in nearby or larger centers. Private schools are limited, with public options dominating due to municipal oversight and national funding priorities.

Cultural Landmarks and Notable Residents

The Église Saint-Martin, a central religious edifice in Bezons, traces its origins to the , with the current structure consecrated in 1507 on a site of prior consecration. The church endured significant damage from the 1740 flood and later conflicts, prompting multiple reconstructions that preserved its role as a focal point. The Oratoire du Val-Notre-Dame, situated at the corner of Rue Alphonse-Cornaille and Rue de la Berthie, dates to the and stands as a modest private exemplifying local devotional . It received official recognition as an inscribed via decree on December 21, 1984, underscoring its contribution to the region's protected heritage. Bezons derives its name from the Bazin de Bezons family, feudal lords of the area under the , whose estate lent enduring historical significance to the commune. Among them, Jacques Bazin, marquis de Bezons (1646–1733), rose to prominence as a , serving actively in campaigns including the and later as governor of . No major contemporary figures born or primarily resident in Bezons have achieved broad national or international renown beyond local sports contexts, reflecting the suburb's profile as a residential extension of greater .

References

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