Val-d’Oise showcases a remarkable combination of protected natural landscapes, historic sites and paths through the French Vexin within a compact area. 59 Espaces Naturels Sensibles cover 2,000 hectares. These areas are home to 1,321 recorded plant species, including 46 protected species.
Nature and landscape
The Espaces Naturels Sensibles in Val-d’Oise are designed to balance the protection of habitats and landscapes with public access. The département also provides an interactive map of the accessible Espaces Naturels Sensibles. 450 kilometres of waterways run through Val-d’Oise.
The Oise–Pays de France Regional Nature Park covers 60,000 hectares and 59 municipalities in Oise and Val-d’Oise. Its core encompasses 20,000 hectares of forest known as the Massif des Trois Forêts. The park offers 1,300 kilometres of routes for hiking, horse riding and cycling.
Culture and history
The Musée archéologique du Val d’Oise preserves 22,000 archaeological objects listed in the Musées de France inventory. It presents almost 90 million years of natural development and 200,000 years of human presence. Its programme includes exhibitions, workshops, conferences, performances, reconstructions and family activities.
The Musée national de la Renaissance is located in the Château d’Écouen.
Hiking and cycling
Valdoise MyBalade lists more than 180 detailed circuits and walks. A signposted hiking trail connects the Musée archéologique du Val d’Oise and the Musée de l’outil through the Bois de Morval. The Musée archéologique du Val d’Oise is difficult to reach by public transport.
The French Vexin has more than 1,100 kilometres of hiking trails. It is crossed by the Avenue Verte Paris–Londres and La Seine à Vélo, as well as by additional loops around Auvers-sur-Oise and Théméricourt. The 100-kilometre Traversée du Vexin connects Auvers-sur-Oise with Mantes-la-Jolie.
Local offerings
Valdoise MyBalade lists farms that sell local products directly to visitors. Visitors can take part in guided mill tours at the Château d’Hazeville and take home a package of the pasta made there.
Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Val-d’Oise can access the individual towns via the following town pages:
Vienne, Taverny, Survilliers, Sarcelles, Sannois, Saint-Witz, Saint-Ouen-Lʼaumône, Saint-Brice-Sous-Forêt, Roissy-En-France, Pontoise, Maffliers, Le Thillay, Herblay, Goussainville, Gonesse, Garges-Lès-Gonesse, Éragny, Enghien-Les-Bains, Écouen, Eaubonne, Chaumontel, Ennery, Cergy, Luzarches, Bezons, Labbeville, Auvers-Sur-Oise, La Frette-Sur-Seine, Bray-Et-Lû, Saint-Prix, Andilly, Méry-Sur-Oise, Saint-Gratien, Argenteuil, Cormeilles-En-Parisis, Le Plessis-Luzarches, Villers-En-Arthies, Gouzangrez, Soisy-Sous-Montmorency, L'isle-Adam, Aincourt, Avernes, Chaussy, Vigny, Ermont, Ronquerolles, Génicourt, La Roche-Guyon, Boisemont, Vétheuil, Belloy-En-France, Osny, Baillet-en-France, Fosses, Seraincourt, Pierrelaye, Theuville, Magny-en-Vexin, Omerville, Saint-Cyr-en-Arthies, Deuil-la-Barre, Presles, Longuesse, Franconville.
