Seine-Saint-Denis was long dismissed as a gritty industrial outpost, this northern neighbour of central Paris has reinvented itself as a hub of creativity, business, and multicultural flair.
Once a dividing line between “Haussmann’s Paris” and its outer communes, the Périphérique now feels more like a seam than a barrier, especially since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games became the catalyst for long-awaited infrastructure projects that shone under global attention during the world’s greatest festival of sport.
New architecture, revitalised green spaces, and fresh investment have transformed the area’s image, attracting innovators, entrepreneurs, culture seekers, and meeting planners, all drawn by its trendy energy and more accessible prices compared to central Paris.
The best place to grasp the changing skyline is from the 40th-floor Sky Bar - "The Stage" - at the new H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort. From here, Paris unfolds in a cinematic panorama, with the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre, even the distant towers of Notre-Dame visible. It’s the perfect spot to toast the day after meetings at the Convention Centre or a session in the 38th-floor gym. Yet the real story begins within the H4’s impressive facilities and spreads across the fast-evolving Seine-Saint-Denis region.
Hotel, Resort & Meeting Place
Anchoring the urban revival of Seine-Saint-Denis, the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort stands 140 metres tall. Opened just before the Games, its 697 rooms make it both landmark and launchpad for Saint-Denis’ next chapter.
Inside lies France’s highest swimming pool, an exceptional experience in itself when paired with the Sky Bar on the same level. Two floors below, the state-of-the-art gym and yoga studio add a “resort-in-the-city” feel, even for business travellers.
A major highlight is the city’s largest privately-owned Convention & Meeting Centre, which wraps around the tower’s base. With 10,000 square metres of flexible meeting space and a 1,180-square-metre plenary hall, the H4 is redefining Paris’s MICE scene.
“Our facilities and service are designed for any kind of event,” says General Manager Stig Castoe, whose team has already hosted everything from IOC delegates to Zumba festivals. The goal, adds Commercial Director Ana Pinquet, is to double event revenue within two years.
The 2024 Olympics accelerated a transformation already in motion. Saint-Denis became not just the stage for world-class sport but the symbol of a new Parisian energy. The Games’ legacy lives on through infrastructure reshaping the region; from Kengo Kuma’s elegant Saint-Denis Pleyel Metro hub (linking central Paris in under 15 minutes) to eco-friendly neighbourhoods like the former Athletes’ Village, soon home to residents and government offices.
The Olympic Aquatics Centre is another showstopper, an eco-designed marvel with a concave solar-panelled roof, recycled-plastic seating, and public access to its Olympic-standard pool, climbing wall, padel courts, and even the original Games medal podium.
A District Designed for Events
Seine-Saint-Denis’ industrial past has left behind extraordinary venues reimagined for the events world. The Cité du Cinéma, a vast Art Deco film complex, is evolving into a 60,000-square-metre cultural destination (opening 2026), while the Adidas Arena Porte de la Chapelle buzzes with sports, concerts, and congresses. Even the nearby Paname Brewing Company with its street-art courtyard and gleaming vats, embodies the district’s creative edge.
Beyond these venues, Saint-Denis reveals a different kind of grandeur. The Basilica of Saint-Denis, resting place of France’s monarchs and the first great Gothic cathedral, is set to regain its missing spire thanks to master artisans echoing the restoration of Notre-Dame. Nearby, the legendary Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen hums with antiques, art, and street culture, which makes for a perfect incentive or off-site experience.
These moments link easily to central Paris via Line 14. Beyond the Seine’s banks and iconic landmarks, guests can take pastry classes at Maison Fleuret or enjoy heritage tours and fashion shows at Galeries Lafayette, all of which showcases a true sense of French Art de Vivre.
Today, Seine-Saint-Denis is where Paris is looking out and forward. It is young, diverse, and full of possibility for meeting planners wishing to feel the magic of the French capital without being priced out. At its heart, the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort stands as both a symbol and invitation to see the city from different perspective. Undoubtedly, the best place to do this is from is the H4's 40th Floor Bar – The Stage.
