Far from being the best-known département in the Paris region,Essonne stands out for its wide open spaces, picturesque châteaux and immense gardens, some of which have been classified as " Jardins remarquables".
From the Chamarande estate to Milly-la-Forêt (home of Jean Cocteau), via Courances and its pretty Japanese gardens, or Winnoland, the family theme park... A land of history, sport and nature, Essonne is above all home to numerous hiking trails, to be discovered in the Gâtinais nature park and the Haute Vallée de la Chevreuse regional park, which also covers part of the Yvelines.
The Essonne department offers a wide range of family outings combining sport, culture and heritage to discover with the kids!
Massy plage 2025: free summer vacation activities in Massy (91)
During the summer vacations, the town of Massy is transformed into a summer resort for Massy Plage 2025. [Read more]
Heritage, cultural outings & walks
US Motor Show: a weekend for American car enthusiasts at the Linas Autodrome
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome, located in the Essonne département, will host the 2025 edition of the US Motor Show. [Read more]
Autodrome Drivers Days 2025: the gathering of classic and historic cars in Linas (91)
The first weekend in September is back to work at the Linas Autodrome. To mark the occasion, the site is hosting a special event: Autodrome Drivers Days. [Read more]
Festi'Vallée 2025: the popular festival returns to Igny (91) this autumn
On the weekend of September 13 and 14, 2025, come to Igny, in the Essonne department, for the 2025 edition of Festi'Vallée. [Read more]
Mini-golf at Floréval Adventure Park: a course for the whole family
Fancy some outdoor mini-golf for the whole family? If you're passing through Essonne, head for the Floréval Adventure Park, for a timeless experience (so to speak), surrounded by dinosaurs! Ready to become the king of the prehistoric putter? [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025 at Château de Villiers - Draveil (91): the weekend program
The town of Draveil and its Château de Villiers invite you to join them for the Journées du Patrimoine, on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025, with a programme of visits for young and old! [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025 at the Domaine de Chamarande (91): a historic and artistic site
Fancy a family outing during the Journées du Patrimoine 2025? Then head for the Domaine de Chamarande, in the Essonne region: the château and its grounds reveal their program for the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025 in Gif-sur-Yvette (91): discover the town's many treasures
The 2025 edition of the European Heritage Days takes place on the weekend of September 20 and 21: so this is your chance to discover heritage treasures near you or at the other end of the region, as here in Gif-sur-Yvette, Essonne. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025: a sweet and savory visit to Confiserie Kubli in Morangis (91)
For the 42nd edition of the Journées du Patrimoine, the Kubli confectionery in Morangis is opening the doors of its factory on September 20, 2025. An opportunity to combine heritage and delicacies... [Read more]
Festival Les Primeurs de Massy 2025: complete program by day
The Festival Les Primeurs de Massy returns from Wednesday October 29 to Saturday November 1, 2025, at Paul B in Massy, with a new eclectic program. On the menu this autumn? Colt, George Ka, Dressed Like Boys, Lagon War, Lea Maria Fries and Uzi Freyja. [Read more]
Mennecy Metal Fest 2025: the complete program by day
Metal music is back in Essonne for the 13th edition of the Mennecy Metal Fest. Join us on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2025 at the Parc de Villeroy to enjoy the powerful sounds of Blind Guardian, Dagoba, Loudblast, Dropdead Chaos, Waltari and Unbounded Terror. Discover the full program by day! [Read more]
Pop Corn Labyrinthe Essonne: a giant maze in a cornfield at Marcoussis
Sponsored - This summer of 2025, come and get lost in the 4-hectare Pop Corn Labyrinth in Marcoussis, Essonne, a fun, 100% open-air activity that's sure to please the whole family! [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025 at the Garden of Pagan Divinities in Fontenay-lès-Briis (91)
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are an opportunity to discover the curiosities that abound in the Ile-de-France region. Head for Fontenay-lès-Briis, in Essonne, on September 20 and 21, 2025, to wander through a garden of sculptures that are, to say the least, astonishing... We reveal the program in detail. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2025: tours and events in Corbeil-Essonnes (91)
There's no shortage of great places to go out in Corbeil-Essonnes this Heritage Days weekend! Discover the places to visit on September 20 and 21, 2025. [Read more]
Nuits des Etoiles 2025 in Saint-Michel-sur-Orge (91)
On the occasion of Nuits des Étoiles 2025, the Au bout des Étoiles association invites you to observe the sky in Saint-Michel-sur-Orge, on the night of August 1. It's also a great opportunity to meet members of the association and become an astronomer for the evening! [Read more]
Spots where to sleep and have fun with the kids
Zoos and aquariums
The free animal park at Janvry in Essonne - Vallée de Chevreuse
Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Janvry, the Parc Animalier stretches over 6 hectares of lush greenery. Over time, it has become an oasis for a diverse range of wildlife and a place of escape for all its visitors. It's an invitation to reconnect with nature, where you can discover a multitude of animals in a peaceful setting. [Read more]
Amusement parks and fairgrounds
Winnoland, the Essonne theme park and its new Wild West Coaster attraction for 2025
Winnoland, formerly Babyland-Amiland, the human-sized amusement park in Essonne, is set to reopen for its 18th season on April 5, 2025. Now the most visited amusement park in the 91 region, it has plenty to delight families in search of entertainment. Once again this year, the park is renewing itself with a new attraction: the Wild West Coaster. [Read more]
Dundee Parc, an indoor playground for young and old in Corbeil-Essonnes (91)
Welcome to the children's (and teenagers') paradise of Corbeil-Essonnes! Here, young and old alike can let off steam in Dundee Parc's 2,500 m² of covered play areas. A program as fun as it is playful, perfect for families. [Read more]
Mysterland, the indoor adventure playground in Montlhery (91)
In Montlhery, in the Essonne department, Mysterland is the indoor playground that welcomes you and your children all year round, for hours of family fun! [Read more]
The TFOU park, the covered play area at the Evry 2 shopping center
In the heart of the Evry 2 shopping center, a 2,600 m² TFOU Parc welcomes you and your family for a crazy afternoon of fun in the inflatables, games and activities offered! [Read more]
Sports outings, parks and gardens
The superb Japanese garden at Château de Courances: a bucolic and exotic stroll in the Paris region
The Japanese garden at Château de Courances is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens around Paris, and particularly so in France. Located on the fabulous Courances estate in Essonne, this Anglo-Japanese garden will delight you with its exotic landscapes. Come and discover it from April 5 to November 2, 2025. [Read more]
Accro des arbres, the accrobranche at Base de loisirs du Port aux Cerises (91)
The Accro des arbres courses, perfectly integrated into the natural environment of the Base de loisirs du Port aux Cerises in Essonne, are open to everyone aged 3 and over. A total of 11 courses and over a hundred climbing workshops await you from February 15, 2025, after a winter shutdown. [Read more]
Atout Branches, the tree-climbing and adventure course, in Milly-la-Forêt (91)
Atout Branches is the accrobranche course located in Milly-la-Forêt, in the Essonne department. In the heart of the countryside, you'll have fun moving from tree to tree on a course combining thrills and balance. A progressive course that takes you from the easiest to the most difficult circuit at your own pace, to be tested from March 15, 2025, after a winter closure. [Read more]
Aventure Floreval, the family adventure park just outside Paris
Aventure Floreval is a huge adventure park for young and old alike, set in the heart of the forest and packed with fun activities! In addition to 400 workshops on 22 tree-climbing courses, accessible from the age of 3, an outdoor escape game, mini golf, an animal farm and a catering area await you. Scheduled to reopen on March 29, 2025. [Read more]
Parc Caillebotte, the large free landscaped park that inspired Gustave Caillebotte in Yerres (91)
Just 30 minutes from the Gare de Lyon railway station, on the Yerres side of the Essonne département, Maison Caillebotte is home to one of the region's most beautiful green spaces: Parc Caillebotte, the garden that inspired the famous Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte. [Read more]
The Domaine de Chamarande, Essonne's largest public garden, for a day in the fresh air
The Domaine de Chamarande is one of the most beautiful gardens in Essonne, and only an hour's ride by public transport, or just as much by car. Located in the town whose name it bears, we'll take you on a stroll to discover it. [Read more]
The Maison Jean Cocteau in Milly la Forêt, a bucolic interlude between art and history in Essonne
We're off to Essonne, and more precisely to Milly-la-Forêt, to discover the former Maison du Bailli, a place steeped in history that was once the home of Jean Cocteau. Now a museum, the Maison des Illustres is waiting to welcome you. [Read more]
Parc Lejars-Rouillon, for a bucolic stroll in Dourdan (91)
Just a few minutes' walk from Dourdan town center, nestles a pretty tree-lined square. With its tall trees, playground and pretty flowerbeds, discover the Parc Lejars-Rouillon! [Read more]
Current activities
The Grange aux Moines educational farm, for a rural outing in La Ferté-Alais (91)
Fancy a day out in the great outdoors? In La Ferté-Alais, the Grange aux Moines educational farm is the place to be for the whole family! [Read more]
La ferme du Bel Air, for a family outing in the countryside near Villiers-le-Bacle (91)
At Villiers-le-Bâcle, in the Essonne département, the Bel Air farm invites you to meet its furry and feathered residents for a family outing in the fresh air. [Read more]
