The Yvelines are distinguished by their exceptional heritage and beautiful landscapes. It's also a department that vibrates to the rhythm of a hyperactive program with lots of good deals! That's right, the 78 region is brimming with free activities that will delight the curious, whether you're a culture lover, a nature enthusiast or in search of festive moments.
For history and art buffs, the Yvelines offers a myriad of cultural visits. Several châteaux and museums open their doors free of charge at certain times, allowing visitors to plunge into the past or admire astonishing collections. Between state-owned forests, remarkable gardens and trails along the Seine, the beautiful landscapes of the Yvelines are priceless... literally! Some sites even offer free activities such as guided hikes, nature workshops or storytelling walks to learn more about the local flora and fauna.
Throughout the year, there are plenty of free events to enjoy. So, if you're looking for good ideas for young and old in the Yvelines region, we've put together a list of not-to-be-missed outings to make the most of the 78 without spending too much. As an added bonus, our selection is updated as we post new listings and discover new things, so be sure to check back regularly.
Chinese/Lunar New Year 2026 in Triel-sur-Seine, Yvelines (78): Parade and Fireworks
Triel-sur-Seine is going all out on Saturday, February 14, 2026, to celebrate the Lunar New Year! The festivities kick off with a vibrant dragon parade starting at 5:15 p.m., followed by a lively choir performance, a spectacular fireworks display, and a dance party that will have the entire town grooving into the night! [Read more]
Paris-Nice 2026: A free festival village in Achères celebrating cycling, opening before the race starts
The Paris-Nice race kicks off this weekend on March 7 and 8, 2026, in Achères, Yvelines! To celebrate, a large outdoor village offering free activities is set up to entertain visitors of all ages, all centered around the world of cycling. [Read more]
Paris-Nice 2026: Route details revealed from the Yvelines region
The 2026 Paris-Nice race is set to kick off from the Yvelines on March 8 and 9. The opening stage will start in Achères and finish in Carrières-sous-Poissy, while the second stage will take off from Épône. Here's everything you need to know. [Read more]
An exceptional drone show for Lueurs de Mantes 3 in the Yvelines
For the third edition of Lueurs de Mantes, a fantastic drone show awaits us on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Disneyland Paris' official partner, Dronisos, will be piloting the show that inaugurates the dazzling light trail in Mantes-la-Jolie in the Yvelines. [Read more]
Lueurs de Mantes: return of the free light trail in the heart of the Yvelines 2026
Mantes-la-Jolie is shining brightly again this winter with the third edition of Lueurs de Mantes in the Yvelines. This free light show is back in a smaller format from Thursday, January 15, to Sunday, February 1, 2026, with a drone show to kick things off. Here's a rundown of the details. [Read more]
L'Ancienne Poste de Versailles, a cultural hub a stone's throw from the château
A new cultural and festive space in Versailles, the town's former post office is being transformed into a dynamic place to live. With its Sept Lieux food court, exhibitions, media library and events, this spot promises to become a must-see address for outings and events. [Read more]
Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a Medieval Treasure in Ile-de-France
Available all year round, the Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a medieval jewel in the Ile-de-France region, invites you to immerse yourself in history. [Read more]
The Maison Jean Monnet: behind the scenes of the creation of Europe at Bazoches-sur-Guyonne (78)
Nestled in the greenery of the Yvelines region, the Maison Jean Monnet offers an intimate, free immersion in European history. It was here, in this peaceful residence in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, that Europe was born. [Read more]
The Aleu park: fishing ponds and country walks in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines (78)
For a quiet, green, open-air stroll, head for the Parc de l'Aleu in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines! [Read more]
Discover Chevreuse: the Little Venice of the Yvelines and its lovely Petits Ponts walk
Just 40 minutes from Paris, Chevreuse, nicknamed the Little Venice of the Yvelines, offers a splendid stroll across its small bridges. This verdant setting, accessible by RER train, offers an unsuspectedly charming escape. We invite you to embark on a nature adventure between canals and picturesque paths! [Read more]
Interactive stroll in the forest of Méridon: "Mélida's tale, the spirit of the forest" in the Yvelines department
We're taking you to the Forêt de Chevreuse for a family-friendly stroll through the Forêt de Méridon. Discover two nature trails, accessible via an app or a booklet-game, that plunge you into a fantastic tale or an original forest exploration. A fun experience for the whole family or for adults. [Read more]
Did you know? The largest dolmen in Île-de-France is hidden in the Rambouillet forest.
You don't have to go all the way to Brocéliande forest to find real mysteries! Our forests in the Paris region also have their secrets, and the Rambouillet forest is home to the region's largest dolmen! [Read more]
Montfort l'Amaury: discover the charming village, a medieval treasure of the Yvelines region
On the edge of the Rambouillet forest, Montfort l'Amaury reveals 1000 years of history. Discover this medieval village, its historic monuments and the charm of its cobbled streets. [Read more]
The Parc du peuple de l'herbe, the largest nature park in the Yvelines, with its flora and fauna
The Parc du Peuple de l'herbe at Carrières-sous-Poissy in the Yvelines region, open all year round, offers a fascinating immersion in nature. This 113-hectare park, the largest in the Yvelines region, is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, providing an ideal setting for nature lovers and families in search of discovery. Insects and flowers abound. [Read more]
Where to picnic in the Yvelines, 11 great spots with superb views
The fine weather is here and you're looking for somewhere to sit down for a lovely picnic in the Yvelines? We've come up with 11 great spots with breathtaking views, some well-known and others less so, where you can relax with friends or lovers and feast your eyes. [Read more]
Did you know? This Belvédère kiosk in the Yvelines is a remnant of the Universal Exhibition.
How about discovering the Kiosque du Belvédère de Châtillon, nestling in the Rosny-sur-Seine forest in the Yvelines department? We tell you all about its history and how to find it. [Read more]
Unusual in the Yvelines: the superb waterfall grotto at Parc du Dr Fauvel in Villennes-sur-Seine
Villennes-sur-Seine, a charming commune in the Yvelines department, is home to a little-known treasure: the waterfalls of the Parc Fauvel grotto. Located some 36 kilometers west of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, this small town near Poissy on the left bank of the Seine boasts a park that combines history and nature. The park, an example of English romanticism, features an unusual grotto and waterfalls. [Read more]
The charming village of Médan in the Yvelines, its castle and its treasures
Nestled in a loop of the Seine just 30 minutes from Paris, the village of Médan offers a wonderful escape into time and history. Once the property of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the Middle Ages, it now boasts a number of cultural treasures, including its famous 16th-century château and the home of the illustrious Émile Zola. We take you on a voyage of discovery. [Read more]
The Galerie des Carrosses, the free museum at the Grandes Ecuries of the Château de Versailles
The Galerie des Carrosses, nestled in the Grande Écurie at the Château de Versailles, opens its doors free of charge every weekend. When visiting Versailles, it's a discovery you'd be wrong not to make. We'll take you on a tour... [Read more]
Rochefort en Yvelines, the pretty medieval village and its treasures to discover in the Chevreuse Valley
Rochefort-en-Yvelines, a charming medieval village in the south of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park, invites you to explore its rich history. If you're a lover of heritage and discovery walks, we invite you to join us in strolling the cobbled streets and discovering its feudal past. [Read more]
Parc du Château de Plaisir, a green bubble in the heart of Yvelines
On the outskirts of old Plaisir, nestles the Parc du Château de Plaisir and its verdant setting, a veritable corner of nature for strolling, picnicking or playing sport. Classified as a historic monument in 1961, this site has many assets. [Read more]
From Paris to Versailles by bike: itinerary for an easy ride on the Véloscénie
Did you know? La Véloscénie, the long-distance cycle path linking Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, provides a link between Paris and Versailles. Let us take you on a 30-kilometre bike ride! [Read more]
The Bassin de la Boissière, a bucolic promenade open 24 hours a day in Elancourt (78)
In Elancourt, in the Yvelines department, you'll find a lovely pond: the Etang de la Boissière, where it's great to take a stroll in any season, and even more so in autumn! [Read more]
Le Sentier des Maréchaux, the educational forest walk in the Chevreuse Valley
How about exploring the Sentier des maréchaux in the Vallée de Chevreuse? Just an hour from Paris, we're off on an educational walk through the Rambouillet forest, where nature and history meet. [Read more]
Parc Corbière, a green paradise for young and old in Le Pecq (78)
In Le Pecq, in the Yvelines département, Parc Corbière is particularly popular with families and children, but also with joggers, walkers and other curious visitors who come to enjoy a trip to the park to get some fresh air. [Read more]
The charming Village of Dampierre en Yvelines and its treasures to discover
Dampierre en Yvelines, nestled in the heart of two valleys, reveals its charms with its majestic castle, picturesque hamlets and rich heritage. This village is a must-see for history and nature lovers. We reveal its treasures for you to discover. [Read more]
The floating cottages on the La Galiotte pond in Yvelines, a real postcard landscape
For a complete change of scenery in the heart of the Île-de-France region, head for the Parc du Peuple de l'Herbe in Carrières-sous-Poissy, in the Yvelines department. With its 113 hectares of wilderness and picturesque ponds, including the étang de La Galiotte dotted with floating chalets, this oasis, just a stone's throw from Poissy station, offers an authentic experience just a Navigo pass away! [Read more]
Walk: Parc de la Croix du Bois in Voisins-le-Bretonneux, a hidden gem between nature and history
We're off to Voisins-le-Bretonneux in the Yvelines to discover the astonishing Parc de la Croix du Bois. A park hidden away at the edge of the forest, it conceals Italian-inspired treasures. It's a little-known haven of peace that invites you to stroll and discover. [Read more]
The educational farm at Mantes-la-Jolie (78), a free, rural outing in the Yvelines region
In Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines département, there's an educational farm hidden away on Ile l'Aumône. Free and open to all, it's a great opportunity to take a stroll and discover the animals! [Read more]
La Ferme de Grignon (78), a free cow and sheep farm visit
In the heart of the Versailles plain, the town of Grignon boasts a huge farm with over 200 dairy cows, 600 ewes, 400 hectares of crops and a dairy. The good news is that the site is open to the public: put on your good shoes and let's go and discover this farm in the Yvelines! [Read more]
The Maincourt Trail, a Natural Oasis in the Chevreuse Valley to discover
The Vallée de Chevreuse is home to a natural gem, the Sentier de Maincourt, a stone's throw from the Château de Dampierre. Accessible all year long by families, even with strollers and people with reduced mobility, this jewel offers a beautiful nature walk between fauna and flora, only 40 minutes from Paris. [Read more]
Good plan: these areas of the Château de Versailles are accessible for free to all
Did you know that? Some rooms and spaces related to the Palace and the Estate of Versailles are open to the public free of charge. Here are the conditions to visit them without paying a penny. [Read more]
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