Goussainville-Vieux Pays was at one time a quiet little farming village, 12.5 miles from Paris. In the center is a historic renaissance church. By the 1970s, this once quiet suburban towns ambience took an irreversable turn.
Unfortunately for the town, it was under the direct flightpath of the new Charles de Gaulle Airport. They were now so close to the country’s largest airport in Roissy that the noise from the planes became intolerable. Residents of the village saw their neighbors and friends abandon their homes one after another.
The airport authorities, responsible for almost 150 properties in the village being deserted, were required to buy the abandoned houses as well as look after them. It had not been taken into account that the Renaissance church, Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul was recorded as an historic monument. Not having the option to demolish the buildings, they were walled up and left to decay. Even the 14th century church began to deteriorate so badly that in 2010, years after abandonment, local authorities finally agreed to begin efforts to restore it.
Ruminating 
[…] cousin recently posted an article on his blog about the abandoned French village of Goussainville-Vieux Pays and reminded me of this Buzzfeed […]
Oh how sad! These pictures hold so much history and beauty… It’s a shame people don’t seem to value their own history. I just adore the house in the 2nd shot especially. Wish I could just “beam” it over here. It’s beautiful… 😀
What enigmatic photography; I’d love to visit this place.
Recently, I visited a British ghost village, Tyneham. The tale, ‘Return to Tyneham’ is based on this:
http://freakyfolktales.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/return-to-tyneham/
Thanks for sharing. Regards, Paul
Very sad! I can’t imagine how the residence must have felt being forced out of their homes. (Lovely pictures though.)