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  • Published
    15 Images

    Photographs show ghost town created by Charles de Gaulle Airport

    The small French farming village of Goussainville-Vieux Pays, just 12 miles north of Paris, remained relatively unchanged for centuries. When Charles de Gaulle Airport opened in the 1970s, residents found themselves living right underneath the flight path. Fleeing the noise, they left behind a ghost town. Reuters photographer, Charles Platiau, photographed the abandoned town and used early 20th century postcards of the exact same sites to show a series of eerie comparisons.

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    The Old Au Paradis A vintage postcard printed around 1915 shows the cafe "Au Paradis" (In Heaven) of Goussainville-Vieux Pays.
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    Reuters/Collection Charles Platiau
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    Ghost Town Au Paradis Exterior view of the former cafe "Au Paradis" of Goussainville-Vieux Pays. Picture taken September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platia
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    Old Gaudry Street A vintage postcard printed around 1910 shows the Gaudry street of Goussainville-Vieux Pays.
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    Reuters/Collection Charles Platiau
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    Ghost Town Gaudry Street General view of the Gaudry street, its remaining houses now abandoned. Piture taken September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    The Old Manor A vintage postcard printed around 1910 shows a 19th century manor of Goussainville-Vieux Pays.
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    Reuters/Collection Charles Platiau
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    Abandoned Manor Exterior view of the same manor, now abandoned. Picture taken August 26, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Falling Apart Inside view of an abandoned 19th century manor in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    A Look Inside Inside view of an abandoned 19th century manor in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Flight Path A commercial airliner flies over the 14th century Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church, which is classified as an historic monument, in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, August 28, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    View from Above A commercial airliner flies over an abandoned 19th century manor in Goussainville-Vieux Pays. Picture taken September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Those Who Remain Bookseller Nicolas Mahieu poses outside his bookstore in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Beware of Dog A letter box and a "Beware of the dog" sign are seen on a gate to an abandoned house in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Graveyard Portraits of former residents appear on their grave at the cemetery of Goussainville-Vieux Pays.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    At Night A car passes by abandoned houses at night in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
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    Old Storefront A former and grocery store is pictured at night in Goussainville-Vieux Pays, September 9, 2013.
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    Reuters/Charles Platiau
  • Published
    15 Images

    Photographs show ghost town created by Charles de Gaulle Airport

    The small French farming village of Goussainville-Vieux Pays, just 12 miles north of Paris, remained relatively unchanged for centuries. When Charles de Gaulle Airport opened in the 1970s, residents found themselves living right underneath the flight path. Fleeing the noise, they left behind a ghost town. Reuters photographer, Charles Platiau, photographed the abandoned town and used early 20th century postcards of the exact same sites to show a series of eerie comparisons.

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