Leisure in essonne

This historic château in Essonne, now the town hall, hides a remarkable botanical park that’s free to visit.

In Lardy, the castle park—now the town hall—runs along the Juine for six hectares and features remarkable century-old trees in Essonne, freely accessible year-round. We treated ourselves to a quick outing to reveal this surprising green space and its castle.

Parc Boussard: we visited this Art Deco garden, a designated Jardin Remarquable and free to visit in Essonne.

The Boussard Park, in Lardy (Essonne), is one of the few Art Deco gardens in Île-de-France. Registered as a historic monument and named a Remarkable Garden, this free-entry municipal park is open year-round. Tucked away in a discreet, hidden corner, it’s a real gem we were pleased to discover and are thrilled to share with you.

Essonne: a château with remarkable gardens you absolutely must discover to go green

The Domaine de Courson, a château classified as a Historic Monument and a park labelled Jardin Remarquable in Courson-Monteloup, Essonne, opens its doors to visitors until November 1. Now is the time to discover its sublime green spaces and, perhaps, delve into the castle’s history through a guided tour.

This keep in Essonne is a miniature replica of Philippe Auguste's medieval Louvre.

Did you know? The keep of the Château de Dourdan, in Essonne, was built on the same model as Philippe Auguste’s medieval Louvre. Just 44 km from Paris, this listed monument is open to visitors year-round.

Paintball at Parc Aventure Floréval: epic battles in the heart of the Essonne forest

Since July 1, 2025, Parc Aventure Floreval has been inviting you to discover its paintball area in the forest, on two Gaulish- and Roman-themed fields, for a fun experience with family or friends in Essonne.