Pontoise: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Culture

Saint-Maclou has been the cathedral of Pontoise since 1966 and is classified as a historic monument. At the eastern end of the choir and in the transept, it combines early Gothic elements from the 12th century, a Flamboyant Gothic façade from the 15th century and side chapels in the Renaissance style from the 16th century; it characterises the historic centre of Pontoise. Its features include the “Lamentation over the Dead Christ” created by Nicolas Leprince in the 16th century in the Chapel of the Passion, completed in 1545, as well as the stained-glass windows created by Édouard Didron in 1887 in the southern aisle.

The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Pissarro–Pontoise (MAHPP) presents a selection from the historic collections of the city of Pontoise and the collection of the Musée Camille Pissarro, founded in 1980. They include works by Caillebotte, Camille Pissarro, Béliard, Jiménez and Thornley. The museum is housed in a building dating from the late 19th century on the site of the former Château de Pontoise and overlooks the Oise. The park of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Pissarro–Pontoise is freely accessible from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers panoramic views of Pontoise and the Oise from the park and terrace.

History

The Carré Patrimoine presents the history and urban development of Pontoise using innovative tools. This includes its medieval heritage, bridges, the Renaissance, the Counter-Reformation, urban growth in the 19th century and reconstruction after the Second World War. The Carré Patrimoine is located in the former Officialité, which, together with the Hôtel d’Estouteville, belonged to the Grand Vicariate of Pontoise founded by Saint Louis in the 13th century. Admission is free; free access is available on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Group visits are possible by appointment from Monday to Friday.

The underground heritage of Pontoise was created by quarries that were established and exploited until the 14th century. The tourist office offers guided tours of this underground heritage on Sundays. The tour lasts 2 hours and includes the routes between the various underground areas.

Nature

The Jardin des Lavandières is a 12,247 m² promenade along the Viosne, where a washhouse has been preserved. Walks lead to the surroundings of the Moulin de la Couleuvre and the artists’ studios. Access on foot is via Rue de Rouen or Rue des Deux Ponts.

Wine

Ginglet is a Chardonnay white wine and a symbol of the Foire Saint-Martin. In 2002, 700 vines were replanted on the slopes of the Plateau Saint-Martin; since then, Ginglet has once again been available for tasting.

Those who choose Pontoise as a travel destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Other destinations: Saint-Prix, Génicourt, Chaumontel, Presles, Andilly, Omerville, Éragny, Vigny

To the higher-level travel overview: Val-D'oise.