What to do in Oise and Val d'Oise: activities, castles and villages to discover

If you are wondering what to do in Oise, you have enough to fill an entire weekend between castles, huge forests, classified villages and family activities. Less than two hours from Paris, Oise and Val d'Oise combine heritage, nature and unusual experiences. From a nature stay At the Cabanes de La Réserve up to walks in the most beautiful villages of Oise, you can mix cultural visits, activities for children and moments of disconnection in the middle of the forest.

What to do in Oise for a weekend?

Oise is a department that is very easy to explore over two or three days. North of Paris, it concentrates large state forests, bodies of water, medieval villages and several emblematic castles. It is an ideal destination if you are looking for both what to visit in Oise and outdoor activities. You can organize your days around alternating walks in the forest, cultural visits and gourmet breaks at local producers, then go back to sleep in the middle of nature in an unusual accommodation.

Around Compiègne, the landscape alternates between ponds, clearings and large forest areas. The city itself deserves a stop for its castle and its imperial history. Further south, towards Senlis and Chantilly, the decor is more urban but remains very green, with many historic parks and gardens easily accessible by car from your accommodation in Oise.

Castles and abbeys: the must-see visits

When we talk about visits to Oise, castles come first. To make sure you don't miss out on any must-see, The Castle of Compiegne is a safe bet with its collections and gardens. Not far away, the Wagon and the Armistice Memorial are a strong place of memory, perfect to complete a cultural day.

Chantilly Castle, further south, is one of the major symbols of the department, with its gardens, stables and art museum. In a more medieval and romantic atmosphere, Pierrefonds Castle dominates the village and offers a spectacular visit, very popular with families. Finally, The Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Ourscamp, partly in ruins, offers a more contemplative atmosphere, ideal for a historic walk between stones and nature.

The most beautiful villages in Oise to explore

If you are looking for the most beautiful villages in Oise, you can organize your routes around small towns of character. Pierrefonds can be discovered both for its castle and for its streets and its views of the lake. Gerberoy, with its colourful half-timbered houses and flowery gardens, is often described as a timeless village, particularly charming in spring and summer.

In the same spirit, several villages around the forest of Compiègne or Senlis combine ancient churches, ramparts, washhouses and hiking trails. The ideal is to combine a visit to a village with a marked walking loop, for example via the routes offered in the department's hiking app, to enjoy both heritage and nature.

Family activities in Oise and children's activities in Val d'Oise

For a day or a weekend with the family, the possibilities of activities in Oise are varied. Around Compiègne and the forest, Do you find easy hiking trails, nautical bases where you can practice paddleboarding or inflatable games on the water, as well as tree-climbing parks to safely take to the heights. Younger children will also appreciate fun visits such as the Armistice Memorial, the discovery of farm animals or boat trips on the ponds.

In Val d'Oise, an immediate neighbor of the Oise and at the gates of Paris, the range of activities for children is also rich: leisure centers, large playgrounds, museums suitable for families, outdoor artistic routes and numerous walks in French Vexin. It is a good complement if you are staying several nights in Oise and want to vary the landscapes while staying close to your base point.

Unusual places in Oise and Val d'Oise

Oise is full of places that are a bit different for those who like original discoveries: hilltop villages, historical memorials in the middle of the forest, ancient abbeys in ruins and large protected marshes. Around the Cabanes de La Réserve, for example, you can alternate between hiking in the Compiègne forest, walking in the swamps of Sacy or discovering intimate historical sites that tell the local story.

In Val d'Oise, unusual places take the form of spectacular views over the Seine Valley, small villages in French Vexin that have remained very authentic or large outdoor artistic ensembles. For a stay oriented to disconnect, this is an opportunity to program short but exotic walks less than an hour from Paris.

Nature stay at the Cabanes de La Réserve

To explore all these activities in Oise while staying as close as possible to nature, The Cabanes de La Réserve offer a great base camp. In Saint-Léger-aux-Bois, on the edge of the forest near Compiègne, this private 35-hectare estate combines three ponds, clearings and woods, with 26 huts perched, on stilts or on the ground, all integrated discreetly into the landscape. You sleep in a comfortable cabin, with electricity, bathroom, heating and, for the most part, a private Nordic bath on the terrace. In the morning, the breakfast baskets of local products are left at the foot of your cabin; during the day, you can borrow bikes, go in a boat, fish in a “no kill”, visit the animals on the mini-farm or simply read on your terrace while watching the birds. 1 hour 15 minutes from Paris and 20 minutes from Compiègne, it is an ideal base to travel to Compiègne, Pierrefonds, Gerberoy or the great natural spaces of the Oise, while returning every evening to a quiet refuge at the edge of the water.

Key Facts

• Weekend destination less than 2 hours from Paris between Oise and Val-d'Oise.
  
  
• In Oise: emblematic castles, memorials, forests and villages of character such as Pierrefonds or Gerberoy.
  
  
• Family activities: easy hikes, nautical bases, tree climbing, fun visits and educational outings.
  
  
• Unusual places: ruined abbeys, protected marshes, small villages and landscapes of French Vexin.
  
  
• Cabanes de La Réserve: a 35-hectare estate with 26 wooden huts, three ponds, Nordic baths and gourmet baskets of local products.
  
  

FAQS

What to do in Oise in 2 days?
Over a weekend, combine a large forest (Compiègne or surroundings), a visit to a castle such as Compiègne, Pierrefonds or Chantilly, a village full of character and a stroll around a pond or in the swamps of Sacy. By staying in a natural accommodation, you limit trips and enjoy the surroundings more.

What are the most beautiful villages in Oise to visit?
Among the most popular villages, we find Pierrefonds, with its castle overlooking the lake, and Gerberoy, known for its flowery houses and its postcard atmosphere. Other villages around Senlis and the Compiègne forest are also worth a visit for their alleys, ramparts and small churches.

Which castle to visit in Oise first?
If you like history and grand decorations, the Château de Chantilly and the Château de Compiègne are must-sees. For a spectacular medieval atmosphere, Pierrefonds Castle is very popular with families and movie set lovers.

What activities can I do with children in Val d'Oise?
Val d'Oise offers many ideas for outings with children: leisure centers with beach and water games, easy walks in the Vexin, visits to castles and abbeys, artistic trails and large urban parks. It is an ideal complement to a nature stay in Oise.

Where to sleep to explore the Oise without driving too much from Paris?
Choosing accommodation north of Compiègne allows you to easily reach the emblematic cities, villages and large natural spaces of the department. An area of cabins surrounded by nature, with direct access to trails and ponds, offers a good balance between comfort and disconnection.