The lake of Enghien-les-Bains, a bucolic, nature-filled escape within an hour of Paris.

In the Val-d'Oise, do you know the town of Enghien-les-Bains? A must-see destination for the change of scenery it offers, this town features a large lake, a famous casino, and numerous Belle Époque or Art Nouveau villas. A chance to breathe easy and escape, less than an hour from Paris.

A good ten kilometers is all that separates Paris from Enghien-les-Bains, a spa town in the Val-d'Oise department. And yet, the atmosphere is quite different when you wander along the pretty shores of the town’s lake. For good reason, Enghien-les-Bains is a well-known spa town, but above all upscale, since it is here that wealthy families and property owners had built beautiful, grand villas as early as the 19th century.

The Enghien-les-Bains spring was discovered in 1766: a sulfurous mineral spring with therapeutic virtues, quickly exploited so that, by 1850, Enghien had become a premier spa town on the doorstep of Paris. Soon, the spa drew political heavyweights (Napoleon and Karl Marx), as well as artists (George Sand, Alexandre Dumas, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, etc.—According to the office de tourisme d'Enghien-les-Bains).

Even today, Lake Enghien remains a favorite spot for a leisurely stroll or a lap around the water, on foot or by bike. Along the way, you’ll especially notice the grand Casino d'Enghien-les-Bains and, above all, the many Belle Époque, Neo-Renaissance, or Art Deco villas. All in all, it’s a getaway in a particularly chic corner of the 95, quiet and green, making for a refreshing outdoor walk.

There are plenty of water activities on Lake Enghien: you can practice sailing or rowing, or rent a pedal boat or an electric boat during your visit! Rentals are available by the half-hour or by the hour, for everyone aged 2 and up (life jackets provided).

To reach Enghien-les-Bains, and more specifically to explore its stunning lake, the simplest option is to take the Transilien Line H from Gare du Nord and alight at Enghien-les-Bains station. From there it’s about a twenty-minute stroll to the water. If you’d rather skip the walk, catch bus 1514 toward Gare d'Ermont-Eaubonne and alight near the Lycée d'Enghien stop, which drops you close to the lake.

While you’re in Enghien-les-Bains, be sure to check out the town’s racecourse, as well as the casino and the thermal baths!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.