Just a few dozen minutes from the capital by car or train, the Val-d'Oise département is far from being the most popular in the Île-de-France region: and yet the area is rich in cultural and sporting outings and beautiful natural areas for family outings.
From the Château de la Roche-Guyon to the forest of Montmorency, via theAbbey of Royaumont, the 12 stations of the Axe majeur de Cergy and the picturesque villages that inspired the Impressionist painters of the 19th century, the département boasts many nuggets, ideal for a day or weekend getaway less than an hour's drive from Paris.
Discover the chalk cliffs of the Vexin, hike through the ghost village of Goussainville, hire a donkey for an unusual walk, take a dip and enjoy the waterfalls at the Ile de loisirs de Cergy... In short, are you planning to discover Val-d'Oise with your family and children soon?
Heritage, cultural outings & walks
Sherwood Parc: France's largest adventure park marks its 20th anniversary.
Sherwood Parc is adventure on a grand scale as it marks its 20th anniversary! More than just a treetop adventure park, Sherwood Parc is a multi-activity themed park. Discover treetop courses for all ages, a giant inflatable play area, Archery Tag, electric scooter rides, archery, and the Explor Game! [Read more]
The Horse Festival at Enghien-Soisy Racecourse: a magical day out for the whole family
Sponsored - On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Enghien-Soisy Racecourse will host the Family Horse Festival, featuring activities for all ages, horses, ponies, and the prestigious Atlantic Prize. Reserve your free tickets today! [Read more]
A Neolithic pottery workshop for Archaeology Days 2026 in the Paris region
At the heart of an archaeological garden, a creative workshop awaits the curious for Archaeology Days 2026 in the Paris region. Here’s what’s planned for this weekend, June 12–14, 2026. [Read more]
In Val-d'Oise (95), this soapbox derby is back for a completely wild downhill run.
The town of Mériel (Val-d'Oise, 95) invites you to the 2nd edition of its Soapbox Car Race, Sunday, June 14, 2026! No engines, just unbridled creativity and a good downhill to let your speedsters fly. Registrations are open! [Read more]
The Valley of Plants and Flowers 2026: Argenteuil’s premier botanical event
This weekend, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, come discover the 30th edition of Vallée aux plantes et aux fleurs in Argenteuil. A perfect chance to stock up on flowers and plants as spring gets underway! [Read more]
This keep in Val-d'Oise, which hides a 100-meter secret passage, reopens its doors
In the heart of the village of La Roche-Guyon, one of Val d'Oise's most beautiful villages in France, an extraordinary troglodyte castle rises, opening to visitors from April 1, 2026, with a medieval keep and its closely guarded secrets. [Read more]
The Night of the Monuments: a scavenger hunt and an evening guided tour at Royaumont Abbey (95)
On April 17 and 18, 2026, Nuit des Monuments invites you to rediscover the Royaumont Abbey in the Val d’Oise after dark, with a guided night tour and an immersive scavenger hunt. [Read more]
Gardens Rendezvous 2026: creative workshops and performances at the Abbey of Maubuisson in Val-d'Oise.
The Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2026 invites you to discover the Domaine de Maubuisson this weekend, June 5–7, 2026, with a rich lineup of activities including creative workshops and guided tours. [Read more]
RKC Karting Paris: the karting complex just a stone's throw from Pontoise
In Boissy-l’Aillerie, in Val-d’Oise, RKC Karting Paris invites you to go-karting sessions near Paris, featuring multiple tracks, coaching clinics, leisure sessions, and group packages. Located about 30 minutes from the capital, the complex also brings together a range of on-site services to make planning your visit easier. [Read more]
A Night of Sound at the Eco-Museum of the Cartoucherie: The 2026 Museum Night Program
In the town of Survilliers, in Val d'Oise, the Ecomuseum of the Cartoucherie will open its doors to visitors free of charge on May 23, 2026, as part of this year's Night of Museums celebration. [Read more]
Fête des Plantes at Château de La Roche-Guyon 2025 in the Val d'Oise
La Roche-Guyon hosts a new edition of the Fête des Plantes et de l'art de vivre au jardin on Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, 2025 on the theme: Le Jardin (se) boit. This picturesque village, just an hour from Paris, is the place to go green. [Read more]
Inkarna at Maubuisson Abbey: Yosra Mojtahedi's Exhibition in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône
The Maubuisson Abbey in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, Val-d'Oise, is hosting "Inkarna: The Transformations of the Sacred," a contemporary art exhibition by Yosra Mojtahedi, featuring works by Elsa Guillaume and Magdalena Abakanowicz, from April 12 to August 30, 2026. This immersive journey explores themes of the sacred, the human body, materiality, and the evolution of life itself, all set within a historic site dedicated to contemporary creation. [Read more]
Night of Museums 2026 at Archéa: Evening Tours at the Archaeology Museum in Val d'Oise
Why not explore Archéa, the archaeology museum in the Pays de France? For the Night of Museums, the Archaeology Museum of Louvres in the Val d'Oise is offering a special lineup on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Here's a glimpse of what awaits you! [Read more]
This well-known home decor brand is kicking off a major clearance sale with discounts of up to 50% before closing its stores.
In Rosny-sous-Bois (93) and Herblay (95), the well-known home decor retailer Alinéa is holding a massive clearance sale with discounts of up to 50% ahead of closing its stores. [Read more]
JEMA 2026: Stained glass workshop and jewelry making at the Tool Museum (95)
The Tool Museum invites visitors to explore a variety of traditional crafts and skills on April 11 and 12, 2026. Special workshops will be held in celebration of the 2026 European Heritage Days (JEMA 2026). [Read more]
Exhibition and evening scavenger hunt for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Louis Senlecq Museum of Art and History
As part of the 22nd edition of Museum Night, the Louis Senlecq Museum of Art and History in L'Isle-Adam invites you to enjoy a variety of activities this Saturday, May 23, 2026, with special evening hours. It's the perfect opportunity for a memorable night out with family or friends during this highly anticipated cultural event. [Read more]
Nestled within an old rectory, this Île-de-France museum offers visitors a glimpse into a charming priest's garden, officially designated as a remarkable garden.
In Val d'Oise, this museum housed in a former rectory features a stunning priest's garden designated as a Remarkable Garden. Here's a closer look at this lush, historic green haven. [Read more]
Spots where to sleep and have fun with the kids
The superb all-you-can-eat brunch at the Abbaye de Royaumont in Val-d'Oise, France
The Abbaye de Royaumont in Val-d'Oise offers an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch every last Sunday of the month. This package includes access to the historic monument and a guided tour, for a cultural and gourmet getaway 30 kilometers from Paris. [Read more]
All-you-can-eat barbecue brunch at Le Piaf restaurant in l'Isle Adam, Val d'Oise, France
An all-you-can-eat brunch in a green setting? That's what the Domaine des Vanneaux MGallery offers at its Le Piaf restaurant every Sunday. Located in Presles, opposite the Isle Adam golf course, this kid-friendly gourmet spot goes into barbecue mode all summer long, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal with your partner, family or friends, and why not try your hand at golf afterwards? [Read more]
Zoos and aquariums
Amusement parks and fairgrounds
Amusement Park Games: Action Game Celebrates Fairground Fun at Koezio Centers in Île-de-France
In Cergy and at Carré Sénart, the Koezio centers have launched Funfair Games: The Challenges of Archibald, an immersive indoor action game lasting one hour. Teams of 2 to 5 players take on challenges inspired by 1930s amusement parks. Suitable for ages 8 and up, this indoor leisure activity in Île-de-France combines agility, memory, and teamwork. [Read more]
Sports outings
Parks and gardens
A sensory garden perched on the heights of an ancient medieval city in the Île-de-France region
Perché on the heights of Pontoise, the Five Senses Garden offers a unique sensory experience amidst the historic ruins of an ancient medieval town in Val-d’Oise. This idyllic spot, with its breathtaking panoramic views along the ramparts, provides visitors with a peaceful retreat immersed in nature and history. [Read more]
(Re)discover Royaumont Abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in Ile-de-France
Just north of Paris, in the Val d'Oise, stands the Abbaye de Royaumont, founded in 1228 by Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille. This royal abbey, the largest Cistercian abbey in the Île-de-France region, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. With its listed buildings, Royaumont offers a fascinating insight into French medieval history. Many events now take place on the premises, and we take you on a journey of rediscovery. [Read more]
Parc Olympe de Gouges, a garden dedicated to relaxation and sports activities in Goussainville (95)
With over 15,000 m² of greenery, Parc Olympe de Gouges is the new green lung of Goussainville (95). Shall we take you for a walk? [Read more]
The arboretum at La Roche-Guyon (95), an open garden featuring plant species from the Ile-de-France region.
In the heart of the Roche-Guyon forest, the arboretum is a little-known 13-hectare green space hidden away in the heart of the French Vexin. We'll take you on a tour to discover it. Are you coming? [Read more]
Le Jardin du Yoga, secret playground at La Roche-Guyon (95)
Hidden away in a little street, indicated by a single small sign, the Jardin du Yoga is one of the least-known parks in La Roche-Guyon, in the Val-d'Oise département. So, we're taking you there to discover it with us! [Read more]
The fruit garden at Château de la Roche-Guyon (95), a remarkable garden for a country stroll
At the foot of the troglodyte château of La Roche-Guyon, in the Val-d'Oise département, nestles a large vegetable and fruit garden, designated a Remarkable Garden. [Read more]
The secret Japanese garden at Aincourt in the Val d'Oise
Located in the Val d'Oise, the town of Aincourt hides a superb Japanese garden in the Parc de la Bucaille, close to the medical center. Take a closer look at this exotic, well-kept park, where tranquillity and zenitude reign supreme. [Read more]
Current activities
The Vexin Express: the great touring trek in the French Vexin Regional Park (95)
The Val-d'Oise département is home to the Parc Naturel du Vexin, a protected green space and a gem of a hiking area. We invite you to cross it on the Vexin Express. [Read more]
Aérokid's Club, the childcare service at Aéroville shopping center
At the Aéroville shopping center in Roissy-en-France (95), a new service offers young and old alike the chance to enjoy a family shopping session, with a nursery specially designed for the youngest shoppers. [Read more]
A free treasure hunt for children in the Montmorency forest (95)
In the Val-d'Oise department, the Montmorency forest is particularly well known for its beautiful walks, hikes and lush vegetation. Now you and your family can discover this beautiful forest on an original treasure hunt, accessible from the age of 6! [Read more]
Cocorico, the free educational farm in Herblay-sur-Seine (95)
In Herblay-sur-Seine, don't miss Cocorico, the town's educational farm: free and open to all, it's a great opportunity for a family outing to the farm. [Read more]
The Ecancourt educational farm in Jouy-le-Moutier, for a walk to discover the animals.
Near Jouy-le-Moutier, the Ecancourt farm welcomes families all week long to discover its residents and the world of farming at the same time. [Read more]
