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!
Heritage, cultural outings & walks
Aventure Floreval: treetop adventure, paintball and multi-activities 30 minutes from Paris
Only 30 km south of Paris, in Essonne (91), Aventure Floreval opens its doors for a new season dedicated to adventure and the great outdoors. Nestled in the heart of the forest, this expansive leisure park has become a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts, whether with family or friends. On the agenda for your day: treetop adventure courses, zip lines, Jurassic Mini-Golf, paintball, outdoor Escape Game, an animal farm… enough to keep you entertained from morning to night. [Read more]
Intergenerational jam session and fanzine: Nuit Blanche 2026 program in Athis-Mons
In Athis-Mons, in the 91 department, Nuit Blanche is happening this Saturday, June 6, 2026! Discover the planned activities for that evening and enjoy this unusual event. [Read more]
Music Day 2026: St Graal in a free concert in Brétigny-sur-Orge (91)
On the occasion of the new edition of Music Day, the residents of Brétigny-sur-Orge are set to gather on Sunday, June 21, 2026 on the lawn by the Léo Lagrange pool to enjoy free concerts by St Graal, La Clé de Sous Sol with Harold, and Persephone's Revenge. [Read more]
World Music Day 2026: rock covers at the Town Hall Park in Lardy (Essonne 91)
For the new, 45th Fête de la Musique, the town of Lardy in Essonne invites you to a charming celebration. Meet at the Hôtel de Ville park to enjoy a free, festive evening of live music on Sunday, June 21, 2026. [Read more]
An XXL shopping-and-leisure complex opens this Thursday in Essonne, featuring a park, a lake and green spaces.
A lake, shops, restaurants—and even dinosaurs: shopping is taking on a whole new dimension in Le Plessis-Pâté, in Essonne (91). From May 21, 2026, Central Parc Valvert - Croix Blanche opens its doors with the aim of turning a shopping trip into a genuine outing to be savored. A new XXL hotspot where people come as much to stroll as to fill their bags. [Read more]
Nature Festival 2026: walks, concerts and exhibitions in Essonne
La Fête de la Nature invests the courtyard of La Ferme de Boussy-Saint-Antoine in Essonne, from May 21 to 25, 2026. On the program: exhibitions, nature walks, lectures, and a free-admission eco-concert with a quirky twist. [Read more]
Guided tours behind the scenes of the France national rugby team at Marcoussis, at the heart of French rugby.
From July 1, 2026, the legendary National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis will lift the lid on its secrets with a series of unprecedented guided tours. From the training pitches to the technology-innovation rooms, this Essonne itinerary invites fans to dive behind the scenes of the France national rugby union team's preparations. [Read more]
CAC on stage: the CAC Brétigny festival in Marolles-en-Hurepoix
Sponsored - The Cac en live festival lands in Marolles-en-Hurepoix on Saturday, May 23, 2026, featuring performances, magic, concerts, workshops, and free shuttle services from Paris. [Read more]
Mennecy Metal Fest 2026: Saxon, Psykup... more acts to be announced
Metal music returns to Essonne for the new, 14th edition of the Mennecy Metal Fest. Save the dates: Friday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Parc de Villeroy to soak up the powerful, explosive sounds of Saxon, Alestorm, Ultra Vomit, Oomph!, Tagada Jones, Psykup and Houle. Discover the lineup for this upcoming edition. [Read more]
Music Day 2026: Morphine will bring Indochine’s chart-toppers to Palaiseau (91)
This year, the town of Palaiseau is celebrating Music Day on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2026! What’s on the program? Two musical days packed with free concerts featuring rising young talents, roaming batucadas, and Indochine covers. [Read more]
Etampes (91): the leisure island with a pool, a toboggan run and a treetop adventure park.
Want a day out in the great outdoors? Head to the Île de Loisirs d'Étampes to enjoy mini-golf, the pony club, the treetop adventure course, and the big zip lines... In short, for a sporty yet playful outing, it's a family trip! [Read more]
Free festival in Essonne: trail running, a zip line, climbing and kayaking await you.
In Essonne, the Sport and Nature Festival is back for its third edition on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Domaine de Chamarande: zip-lining, rock climbing, kayaking, charity trail runs, and 40 activities—all free of charge. [Read more]
Music Day 2026: the lineup of activities in Gif-sur-Yvette (91)
Do you live in Gif-sur-Yvette and feel an irresistible urge to celebrate Music Day? Then don’t miss the lineup waiting for you on Sunday, June 21, 2026, sprinkled all across the town of Gif-sur-Yvette in Essonne. [Read more]
Essonne: 18 free open-air shows in 14 towns, the program!
The Day // Night Festival returns to Essonne for its 15th edition, presenting 18 free open-air performances, blending street theatre, dance and circus across 14 towns from May 22–25 and May 29–31, 2026. [Read more]
Save the date for Jardins 2026 at the Victor Hugo Literary House (91): the program
On the occasion of the Rendez-vous aux Jardins in Essonne, Victor Hugo’s literary house, in the Bièvre valley, invites you to discover its charming park during outdoor activities on 6 and 7 June 2026. [Read more]
This Buddhist pagoda opens its doors to the public for a festive day in June.
On Saturday, June 13, the Thien Vien Truc Lam Pagoda will host a large open-house day focused on Buddhism and Vietnamese culture. [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
Sports outings, parks and gardens
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. [Read more]
Launay Botanical Garden and Paris-Saclay Arboretum: A Global Journey Through Plants in Essonne
We head to Essonne to explore the botanical garden of the University of Paris-Saclay, sprawling across 90 hectares of plant collections on the Orsay campus. Home to nearly 3,000 species from around the globe, it offers free guided tours and features a conservation arboretum, making for a perfect green getaway just a short train ride away from Orsay station. [Read more]
Atout Branches: the adventure park featuring treetop courses, climbing walls, laser tag, and escape rooms in Essonne (91)
In Milly-la-Forêt, Essonne, Atout Branches Park offers a variety of activities including tree climbing, rock climbing, escape rooms, laser tag, andUpcoming new additions in 2026 such as mini golf and forest treasure hunts. Opening on March 14, 2026, the park welcomes visitors from the age of 2 and up. [Read more]
Tree climbing enthusiast? Discover the adventure at the Port aux Cerises Leisure Base in Essonne (91)
Looking to climb trees in Essonne? L'Accro des Arbres® at the Port aux Cerises leisure island in Draveil offers 12 treetop courses suitable for all ages. A great way to get outdoors and stay active! [Read more]
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]
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
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]
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]
