Even though we know the department like the back of our hand, the Yvelines still offers its weekly dose of surprises. From June 8 to 14, 2026, whether you live in the 78 department, whether you're coming from Paris for a one-day escape, or just passing through in Île-de-France, there's always a good reason to head out in the area. Between family outings, shows that are staged in Versailles, Rambouillet or Saint-Germain-en-Laye, free deals and restaurants worth a detour, we’ve handpicked the best ideas of the week, from musts to lesser-known gems.
On the cultural front, the Mois Molière is in full swing in Versailles through June 30, 2026, marking its 30th anniversary with nearly 350 performances across more than 60 city venues, mostly free or priced at just €4. Classical theatre, contemporary works, and open-air shows set in courtyards and gardens—Versailles becomes a city-wide stage, offering a memorable evening for locals, Yvelinois, or visitors alike. For Parisians, note that the 78 is less than an hour from central Paris by Transilien, with direct lines from Montparnasse, Saint-Lazare, or La Défense depending on your destination in the department.
Espace Rambouillet: a forest and wildlife park to reconnect with nature
Sponsored - Nestled within 250 hectares of forest, explore a one-of-a-kind site in Île-de-France dedicated to European wildlife—animals that are currently found in France or once part of its fauna: red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wolves... You’ll also discover its bird-of-prey center, home to more than 200 raptors with live flying demonstrations. Don’t miss the 1,500-square-meter of giant trampolines suspended among the trees, or the Forest Mission playground. An offering sure to delight families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to reconnect with what truly matters: the living world. [Read more]
Grandeur Nature 2026: Sartrouville’s free festival with workshops, performances and kayaking - 78
Grandeur Nature, the free festival in Sartrouville (78), makes its return on Sunday, June 14, 2026, with kayaking on the Seine, tree climbing, open-air performances, creative workshops and local produce to sample, all centered on urban farming and food. A plan you won’t want to miss. [Read more]
Exhibition: Maurice Denis, collector — Bonnard, Gauguin, Sérusier...
Sponsored - The Maurice Denis Museum reveals the painter's collection, including works by Gauguin, Bonnard, Sérusier, and nearly 150 pieces on view through January 31, 2027 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
This exhibition marks the first-ever unveiling of Maurice Denis's exceptional collection. From Gauguin to Van Gogh, via Cézanne and the Nabi movement—with notable contributions from Bonnard, Maillol, Ranson, Sérusier—this gathering of works offers a plunge into the painter's intimate world and the unique atmosphere of his artist's home. [Read more]
Perceval, the Tale of the Grail: a literary and musical stroll at the Potager du Roi for Molière Month
Perceval - the Tale of the Grail, a literary and musical wandering inspired by Chrétien de Troyes, is presented for the Molière Month at the Potager du Roi in Versailles on June 14, 2026, with Stéphanie Tesson and Phénomène et Cie. This narrated and sung stroll revisits the Grail quest outdoors, weaving medieval storytelling, early music, and Arthurian imagination. [Read more]
Milady in Versailles: The Three Musketeers Reimagined on Stage for Molière Month
Milady, a play by Margaux Wicart freely inspired by The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, is staged in the Cour de la Grande Écurie in Versailles on June 13 and 14, 2026, in a production by Justine Vultaggio with La Compagnie Les Modits for the Mois Molière. The show places Milady de Winter at the heart of a plot woven from humor, cynicism, vengeance and state affairs. [Read more]
Splendors and Miseries: Balzac and Lost Illusions at the Molière Month
Splendors and Miseries, adapted from Lost Illusions by Honoré de Balzac, is presented in the Cour de la Grande Écurie on June 11 and 12, 2026 as part of Molière Month. Directed by Paul Platel, the production revisits the Parisian rise of Lucien Chardon, a young provincial swept up by journalism, the salons, and money. [Read more]
Night of the Forests 2026 in Sonchamp and Clairefontaine, Yvelines
Nights of the Forests 2026 are returning to the Rambouillet area in Yvelines from June 5 to 21, 2026, with nature walks, artistic performances, and free evening outings for all ages. Be sure to book in advance to enjoy these free activities. [Read more]
The medieval fortress of Beynes, the jewel of the Yvelines, has been linked to Diane de Poitiers.
Medieval fortress in the Yvelines, Beynes Castle hides a centuries-spanning history and an unexpected link to Diane de Poitiers. Just 30 km from Paris, in the heart of this Yvelines town, its ruins listed as a Historic Monument are to be discovered year-round in Beynes. We set out to explore the site on a weekend escape and share a glimpse of its secrets. [Read more]
Le Chou de Chanorier, the restaurant housed in a château in the Yvelines, unveils its gorgeous terrace at the Top
The Non-Parisian Bistros, which delight us with their restaurants, mainly in Hauts-de-Seine, opened last year a restaurant in Yvelines! And not just anywhere, since it’s at Château Chanorier in Croissy-sur-Seine that you can now go enjoy a meal. And surprise, you can discover a menu signed by Charlie Anne, the Top Chef 2025 finalist. We tested Chanorier’s Chou restaurant, which unveils a short, indulgent menu and even a vast terrace in the heart of a verdant park, offering raclette in winter and barbecue in summer. [Read more]
The Night of the Forest 2026 in the Forest of Versailles, featuring free workshops, games and walks.
For Nuits des Forêts 2026, the Pachamama association invites you to a festive, nature-filled immersion in the Forest of Versailles, in Porchefontaine, featuring workshops, strolls, and free activities for everyone, from June 9 to 21, 2026. [Read more]
Small Misery of Married Life: Balzac Delves Into the Couple at Versailles’ Open University
Petites misères de la vie conjugale, an adaptation of Honoré de Balzac by Pierre-Olivier Mornas, is presented at Versailles’s Open University on June 11, 2026 as part of the Molière Month. This play follows Caroline and Adolphe, a couple observed through routines, tensions, and the little frictions of married life. [Read more]
The Soldier's Tale, Ramuz and Stravinsky reimagined for Molière Month in Versailles
Adapted by Claude Gisbert and Jean Hervé Appéré, The Soldier's Tale is staged at the Versailles City Hall. This musical mime drama inspired by Ramuz and Stravinsky joins the Mois Molière lineup on June 10 and 12, 2026. [Read more]
Albert Camus's The Just, a play about justice and political violence, for the Mois Molière festival in Versailles.
The Just by Albert Camus, directed by Maxime d’Aboville, is staged in the Cour de la Grande Écurie in Versailles. This play about commitment, political violence, and moral dilemma is part of the Mois Molière festival, on June 9 and 10, 2026. [Read more]
Le Schpountz, Marcel Pagnol adapted for Molière Month in Versailles
Adapted from Marcel Pagnol by Arthur Cachia, Le Schpountz will be staged at the Cour de la Grande Écurie in Versailles on June 8, 2026. This comedy, directed by Delphine Depardieu and Arthur Cachia, joins the Mois Molière program for its 30th anniversary. [Read more]
Leonardo Cremonini in Versailles: the exhibition at Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum — our photos
The Espace Richaud and the Lambinet Museum in Versailles are hosting an exhibition devoted to Leonardo Cremonini, a master of poetic realism, narrative stillness, and pictorial tension, from May 27 to October 5, 2026. [Read more]
Archaeology Days 2026: activities at the heart of a royal estate in a Remarkable Garden
At Marly-le-Roi, archaeology unfolds in a setting steeped in history: the former royal domain of Louis XIV. For Archaeology Days 2026, the Domaine de Marly offers a full program that invites us [Read more]
Rabbids Color Chaos: EVA launches her family-friendly arena VR game – our review
The Rabbids: Color Chaos lands at EVA on May 20 with a VR arena game for ages 10 and up. In a 500-square-meter space, two teams move, aim and color as much ground as possible to win. We tried it, here’s the full story! [Read more]
Cette ancienne apothicairerie royale se cache dans une villa historique et elle se visite gratuitement !
This former royal apothecary’s shop hides inside a historic villa, and it’s free to visit!
It's a fascinating secret tucked away in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in the heart of a historic residence. Here lies a royal apothecary, the best-preserved in France, and you can discover it during occasional, free tours! [Read more]
A hidden guinguette on a farm opens in the Yvelines
Nestled in the heart of the Gally Farm’s nursery in Saint-Cyr-l'École, the Guinguette de Gally reopens for the 2026 season. Homemade waffles, refreshing drinks and a lush garden are on the program, from late April to autumn. We’ve tested it, and here’s the full story. [Read more]
Sleep with the Wolves: We spent a night in a cozy bivouac in the Rambouillet Forest
Want to sleep as close as possible to wolves and deer? L’Espace Rambouillet is offering a bivouac night in the heart of the forest, a rare, magical immersion in wildlife that we put to the test. [Read more]
A guinguette and free apéro-concerts all summer, in a shepherd's barn in the Yvelines.
This summer, like the many that have come before, the National Rambouillet Sheep Farm is gearing up for a wonderful summer season built around a program that is family-friendly, welcoming, and festive. Expect pre-dinner aperitifs, concerts, a guinguette vibe that’s laid-back and unpretentious: could this be the recipe for happiness? [Read more]
The Boating Party Lunch at Maison Fournaise: we tried the special menu tied to the Renoir exhibition
At Maison Fournaise in Chatou (78), the Canotiers menu, reinterpreted by three-Michelin-star chef Christian Le Squer, is on offer through July 19, 2026, in dialogue with the exhibition "Renoir and Love: The Happy Modernity" at the Musée d’Orsay, from the balcony where Renoir set up his easel in 1880. Here’s what we thought. [Read more]
Yvelines: have you heard of this temple of love, a romantic kiosk-bridge set in a lush green haven?
In the Yvelines, at the heart of the Bonnelles pond nature reserve, a charming bridge-kiosk nicknamed the “Temple of Love” still bears witness to an 18th-century parc à fabriques—an elaborate garden of follies. Open to the public for discovery in 2026. [Read more]
Yvelines: discover the Bonnelles Ponds Nature Reserve and its beautiful treasures
In the Yvelines, the Bonnelles Ponds Regional Nature Reserve offers a free, year-round nature and heritage stroll around two ponds, featuring diverse wildlife and charming 18th-century factories. [Read more]
Potager Fantasies during Molière Month: theater takes root in the King's Kitchen Garden
The Garden Fantasies are presented at the King's Garden (Potager du Roi) in Versailles on June 6, 7 and 13, 2026, as part of the Mois Molière’s 30th anniversary. Designed by Stéphanie Tesson with Phénomène et Cie, this theatrical journey gives voice to vegetables, fruits, plants and insects through works by contemporary authors. [Read more]
Jardins des Lumières: an exhibition on the art of garden design at the Grand Trianon, Palace of Versailles
At the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles, in Yvelines, the exhibition Jardins des Lumières (1750-1800) delves into the art of the landscape garden through nearly 160 works, including paintings, models, drawings, and furniture. Go see it from May 5 to September 27, 2026, and take the opportunity to explore the Trianon gardens and the Queen's Hamlet. [Read more]
Discover this grand, free nautical festival, now in its 67th year, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (78)
It’s the must-attend event in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine: the Pardon de la Batellerie, a major local festival that blends remembrance, a parade, and festivities. From June 12 to 14, 2026, the 67th Pardon will be celebrated, framed by a wonderful, entirely free program. [Read more]
L'Auberge du Vieux Marly, a terrace-friendly restaurant in the Yvelines, is making a comeback (78)
L'Auberge du Vieux Marly, an institution in the old village of Marly-le-Roi in the Yvelines (78), is coming back to life in 2026 under the leadership of Myriam Guenfoud. A chalkboard menu, a shaded terrace, and homemade cooking await you at this charming village-style restaurant. [Read more]
La Table d'Alice, a convivial restaurant with a summer terrace in Versailles, Yvelines
La Table d'Alice, the welcoming bistro imagined by chef Cyril Fabien, opens its terrace for the sunny days on the pretty square opposite Saint-Symphorien Church in Versailles (78). We headed there to test it, and here’s what we found. [Read more]
This nautical festival, offering boat rides, workshops and concerts, is back in the Yvelines in June 2026.
The Seine sets sail once more for Carrières-sur-Seine, for a festive stopover with the Nautical Festival, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Quai Charles-de-Gaulle, transformed into a genuine hub of activities. [Read more]
Archaeology Days 2026: this castle-museum promises us a weekend with our heads in the stars.
The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye houses the National Archaeology Museum: so of course, when Archaeology Days arrive, this historic site is tailor-made for the occasion! Here’s what to expect for the weekend of June 12–14, 2026. [Read more]
Wishing everyone in Yvelines pleasant walks and exciting discoveries!
Dates and Opening Time
From June 8, 2026 to June 14, 2026
Location
Yvelines
yvelines
