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
Heritage Days 2026 in Palaiseau (91): discover the visiting program
The weekend of September 19–20, 2026, Heritage Days are back for their 43rd edition, with a superb lineup to experience in the town of Palaiseau, in Essonne. Find out what awaits you there! [Read more]
Halloween 2026 at CNRS: an escape room and talks in a château in Essonne
For Halloween 2026, the CNRS opens the doors of Button Castle in Gif-sur-Yvette on Friday, October 30, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This second “Terrifyingly Scientific Evening” brings together three roundtables on the afterlife, mummies, and dark matter, plus an escape room focused on bats. The event is only available by registration, starting September 21, 2026. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026 in Forges-les-Bains: the outings schedule
The weekend of September 19–20, 2026, head to the commune of Forges-les-Bains in Essonne to make the most of Heritage Days. [Read more]
Mountain & Music Festival: International lumberjack competition and free concerts in Palaiseau
The mountain comes to Palaiseau for the weekend of 26 and 27 September 2026. An international lumberjack competition, family-friendly activities, Savoy specialties, and free concerts will shape the 29th edition of the Montagne & Musique Festival. [Read more]
Italian Meeting 2026: a gathering of Italian cars at the Linas Autodrome (91)
Attention Italian car enthusiasts: the Linas-Montlhéry race track is bringing back its flagship September event, the Italian Meeting. See you on September 26, 2026, to take part in this gathering brimming with Italy’s colors. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026: Explore the Castle of Saint-Jean de Beauregard (91)
On the occasion of the 43rd edition of Heritage Days, Château Saint-Jean de Beauregard welcomes you on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026. The lineup for these special days includes guided tours of the castle and its gardens. [Read more]
Aventure Floreval: a treetop adventure park, climbing and a multi-activity park in Essonne, 30 minutes from Paris
Only 30 minutes south of Paris, in Essonne (91), Aventure Floreval welcomes children and adults to the heart of the Morionville forest for a full day of outdoor adventure. Tree-top adventures, outdoor climbing, Paintball, Jurassic Mini-Golf, Escape Games, Laser Game, Quiz Battle, or even a farm with animals: the park offers a wide range of activities for a family outing, with friends, or in a group.
And since the summer of 2026, a new activity has completed the park’s lineup: a bouldering area installed right in the forest. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026: Free tour of the private arboretum at Château de Vilmorin (91)
A little stroll into the heart of nature for Heritage Days 2026—are you in? On September 19, head to Essonne and the Château de Vilmorin to discover the family's private arboretum! [Read more]
Montlhéry's free medieval festival 2026: the program in Essonne
The Montlhéry Medieval Festival is back for its 9th edition on September 19–20, 2026, under the theme “Around the World” to mark Heritage Days. Expect equestrian shows, a medieval market, and fire-breathers, all free to attend in Essonne, at the foot of the famous Tower. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026: free treasure hunt and concert at the château in Soisy-sur-Seine (91)
Heading to Essonne and the town of Soisy-sur-Seine for the new edition of Heritage Days 2026! On September 19 and 20, explore the town with a family-friendly treasure hunt and enjoy the castle through a range of activities. [Read more]
Three free weekends to discover the Centre Pompidou Francilien ahead of its opening in Massy.
In the run-up to its official opening planned for spring 2027 in Massy, the Centre Pompidou Francilien will exceptionally open its doors for three October weekends in 2026. Titled “Prelude!”, this free, booking-required event invites the public to wander through the backstage spaces, framed by iconic works, performances, and workshops. [Read more]
This former keep, the last vestige of a royal castle, will reopen to the public from September 2026.
The last remnant of the Château d'Étampes, the Guinette Tower sits at the heart of a renovation project aimed at reopening the ruin of this keep to the public. Here is the story of this endangered heritage, which will be rediscovered and accessible again in September 2026. [Read more]
European Heritage Days 2026: activities at the Jean Cocteau House in Essonne (91)
Heritage Days arrive this weekend, September 19-20, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France. In Milly-la-Forêt, Essonne, the Maison de Jean Cocteau presents a family-friendly, musical lineup. [Read more]
Special tours and a free performance at the Domaine de Chamarande for the 2026 European Heritage Days
Looking for a great family outing during the 42nd Heritage Days? Then head to the Domaine de Chamarande in Essonne to enjoy the château and its park’s special program on September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]
Discover this astonishing shell-filled cave for the 2026 Heritage Days.
The Heritage Days are back for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France. It’s a chance to meet the Nymphée Nymphée, a mysterious shell-covered grotto waiting for you in Viry-Châtillon, in the Essonne department. An unusual discovery on the horizon! [Read more]
Spots where to sleep and have fun with the kids
Zoos and aquariums
Janvry, a picturesque village with a free wildlife park and events in the Chevreuse Valley
Nestled in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse in the Regional Nature Park, Janvry in Essonne is an undiscovered nugget. With its farmland and heritage, including the Louis XIII-style château and the church of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, this village of 600 inhabitants knows how to surprise its visitors. In fact, to everyone's surprise, it offers a free animal park and great events all year round. [Read more]
Amusement parks and fairgrounds
Sports outings, parks and gardens
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. [Read more]
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
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]
