Last updated · Gentilly (Île-de-France, 66 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Gentilly (Île-de-France)
Served by Gare de Port Royal (3.0 km) in the Val-de-Marne department of Île-de-France, Gentilly (INSEE 94037; pop. 17,442) offers easy access to Société d'Arcueil and Montrouge, Château de La Vallière at 66 m altitude. Visitors use Gentilly as a walkable base for tasting Artisanal croissant & pain au chocolat and Bistro steak au poivre & confit de canard across Île-de-France.
In Gentilly (Gentilly (94037), 66 m elevation, pop. 17,442), top sights and local landmarks include Société d'Arcueil (1.3 km) · Montrouge, Château de La Vallière (1.9 km) · Abbaye de Port-Royal (2.9 km) · Eglise Saint-Pierre-de-Montrouge (2.2 km) · Parc Montsouris (1.1 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Croulebarbe (0.8 km), Maison Blanche (1.5 km), Paris 13e Arrondissement (1.8 km), Petit-Montrouge (2.0 km). Within Île-de-France (Val-de-Marne), Gentilly serves as a commune in île-de-france (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Eiffel Tower, Louvre & Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre, Le Marais & Saint-Germain, Palace of Versailles, Château de Fontainebleau & Provins medieval town.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Gentilly: Société d'Arcueil (1.3 km) · Montrouge, Château de La Vallière (1.9 km) · Abbaye de Port-Royal (2.9 km) · Eglise Saint-Pierre-de-Montrouge (2.2 km) · Parc Montsouris (1.1 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Gentilly): Croulebarbe (0.8 km), Maison Blanche (1.5 km), Paris 13e Arrondissement (1.8 km), Petit-Montrouge (2.0 km)
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Gentilly: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Gentilly.
How to Get to Gentilly: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Gentilly (48.8133°N, 2.3444°E): Nearest station is Gare de Port Royal (3.0 km), connecting via the regional hub of Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord & Gare Montparnasse (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & RER). Paris CDG & Orly airports; 6 major SNCF TGV terminals; Paris Métro, RER and Île-de-France Mobilités Navigo Easy transit network.
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Gentilly: Once in Île-de-France, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Paris with Gentilly (Gare de Port Royal (3.0 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Gentilly: Major SNCF hubs in Île-de-France offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Gentilly between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Gentilly: While Gentilly centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord & Gare Montparnasse (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & RER) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Île-de-France. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Gentilly (Île-de-France Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Gentilly (Entrée & Plat)
In Gentilly (Val-de-Marne), traditional tables feature: Classic Parisian & Île-de-France bistro dishes—soupe à l'oignon gratinée, steak au poivre, blanquette de veau, confit de canard with pommes sarladaises, and jambon-beurre on a crisp baguette de tradition. Across the Val-de-Marne department, Gentilly showcases seasonal market produce, artisanal boulangeries, and AOC wines from Île-de-France.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Gentilly
Around Gentilly and across Val-de-Marne, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Curated bistro wine lists pouring Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, Beaujolais Crus, and Bordeaux by the glass (pichet or verre), alongside regional craft ciders and Île-de-France microbreweries.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Gentilly
At the weekly market and fromageries of Gentilly (Val-de-Marne), look for: Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun AOP cheeses, Coulommiers, Miel du Gâtinais, Montmorency cherries, and iconic pâtisserie creations including Paris-Brest, Saint-Honoré, Opéra cake, and buttery croissants.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Gentilly
Morning espresso and croissant at a zinc counter, fixed-price lunch formule (€16–€24) between 12:00 and 14:00, apéritif on a neighborhood terrace at 18:30, and dinner starting at 19:30–20:30. In a mid-sized French town like Gentilly (pop. 17,442), travelers will find multiple artisan bakeries, fromageries, brasseries around the main square and SNCF station, and a lively weekly open-air market showcasing Val-de-Marne producers.
Across Gentilly (Gentilly (94037)) and the wider Île-de-France region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Artisanal croissant & pain au chocolat, Bistro steak au poivre & confit de canard, Brie de Meaux & Coulommiers AOP cheeses, Paris-Brest, Saint-Honoré & macarons, Onion soup gratinée & jambon-beurre. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Gentilly, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Gentilly
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Gentilly (48.8133°N, 2.3444°E, 66 m elevation) for local day trips across Île-de-France are:
- Arcueil (1.0 km from Gentilly)
- Le Kremlin-Bicêtre (1.1 km from Gentilly)
- Montrouge (1.7 km from Gentilly)
- Villejuif (2.5 km from Gentilly)
- Cachan (2.5 km from Gentilly)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Gentilly
Seasonal advice for Gentilly (Île-de-France, 66 m elevation): Best time to visit Île-de-France: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Pair your visit to Gentilly with regional highlights across Île-de-France: Eiffel Tower, Louvre & Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre, Le Marais & Saint-Germain, Palace of Versailles, Château de Fontainebleau & Provins medieval town.
| Commune Fact | Details for Gentilly (Gentilly (94037)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Gentilly (94037) (Gentilly) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Île-de-France |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Île-de-France (Capital: Paris) |
| Geographic Zone | Val-de-Marne |
| Population | 17,442 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 66 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Port Royal (3.0 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 48.8133°N, 2.3444°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Gentilly
- Office de Tourisme in Gentilly: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Gentilly (or at Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord & Gare Montparnasse (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & RER)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Gentilly: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Gentilly accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Île-de-France.
- French dining hours in Gentilly: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Gentilly serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gentilly (Gentilly (94037)) located in France?
Gentilly (Gentilly (94037)) is a commune located in Île-de-France in the Val-de-Marne region of France (coordinates: 48.8133°N, 2.3444°E, 66 m elevation). It has a population of 17,442 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Gentilly by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Gentilly via Gare de Port Royal (3.0 km) and the main regional gateway of Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord & Gare Montparnasse (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & RER). Paris CDG & Orly airports; 6 major SNCF TGV terminals; Paris Métro, RER and Île-de-France Mobilités Navigo Easy transit network. Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Gentilly (Île-de-France) known for?
In Gentilly and across Île-de-France, signature regional dishes include Artisanal croissant & pain au chocolat, Bistro steak au poivre & confit de canard, Brie de Meaux & Coulommiers AOP cheeses, plus Paris-Brest, Saint-Honoré & macarons and Onion soup gratinée & jambon-beurre. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Gentilly?
For Gentilly (Île-de-France, 66 m elevation): Best time to visit Île-de-France: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Gentilly
- Atout France (Official France Tourism Agency)
- SNCF Connect — Train Schedules & Fares
- Wikipedia: Gentilly
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Gentilly (Île-de-France, 48.8133°N, 2.3444°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.