Explore Gisors and Beyond at le Village des Templiers

This walk, bordering the forest of Lyons, interspersed here and there with vales and groves, invites you to explore the quaint little villages of the Vexin Normand countryside. In the fading evening light or in the morning mist, the forest, the ideal place for a stroll in the land of legends, magic and fairy tales, leads you along the Brisquet Path and its legend...

In 1228, Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille established the Abbey of Royaumont, today still the largest Cistercian abbey of Ile-de-France. Listed as a historical monument, the abbey has one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic refectory in France. The 7 hectares park, crossed by canals, is labelled "Remarkable garden" by the French Minister of Culture. It has conserved some of its medieval features and today has three gardens: an experimental vegetable garden, opened in 2014, a medieval inspiration garden, and the garden of the monastery transformed into a ravishing French garden in 1912. The abbey is open every day, from 10 am to 6 pm (5:30 pm between November and March). Royaumont Abbey also offers guided visits, heritage and garden activities for children and families every Sunday throughout the year, and holds a music and dance Festival every year in September and October. In 1228, Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille established the Abbey of Royaumont, today still the largest Cistercian abbey of Ile-de-France. Listed as a historical monument, the abbey has one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic refectory in France. The 7 hectares park, crossed by canals, is labelled "Remarkable garden" by the French Minister of Culture. It has conserved some of its medieval features and today has three gardens: an experimental vegetable garden, opened in 2014, a medieval inspiration garden, and the garden of the monastery transformed into a ravishing French garden in 1912. The abbey is open every day, from 10 am to 6 pm (5:30 pm between November and March). Royaumont Abbey also offers guided visits, heritage and garden activities for children and families every Sunday throughout the year, and holds a music and dance Festival every year in September and October.

A special place, assembling a collection of objects associated with the famous French composer in the house where he was born: Claude Debussy's birthplace is located in the historic quarter of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. It was in this 17-century house in the town that Claude Debussy was born, on 22 August 1862, and spent his early childhood. His father ran a china shop on the ground floor. After the composer's death in 1918, it soon became the main gathering place of his many admirers. Once inside, you will discover a wonderful little inner courtyard, where a splendid wooden staircase will lead you up to the museum. The museum, officially recognised as a 'Maison des illustres' ('Houses of the Famous'), displays objects and photographs that help provide a better understanding of the composer's creative process. In fact, Debussy liked to surround himself with objects from different places and artistic movements, which influenced his music. For example, a Japanese lacquered panel, which came from his Parisian mansion, depicting two fish swimming under a willow, musically metamorphosed into 'Poissons d'or', a piano piece (1907). A small museum but a grand tribute to one of France's greatest composers!

Located in the heart of Impressionist country, close to Paris, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles, the serviced apartments of Residhome Carrières La Défense benefit from an outstanding location. The residential hotel is close to the picturesque town centre, restaurants and shops. It is within easy reach of Paris and the business district of La Défense, with fast access to RER A and Transilien rail services. Carrières-sur-Seine is a town with a country feel. For nearly two centuries it has been the charming green backdrop to pleasant walks, with its Parc de la Mairie (a classified "monument historique" site), washhouse, tithe warehouse, troglodyte houses, windmill, etc. Other sites and features in the area include: the Château de Versailles, the Château de Monte Cristo, a ride aboard the Dénicheur, the Impressionist cruise, the Serre aux Papillons (butterfly farm), the Parc Zoologique de Thoiry, and the Club Hippique de la Jonction at Saint-Germain-en-Laye (riding stables - hacking in the national forest), the Golf de l'Ile Fleurie, etc.

The Domaine de Chantilly, one of the jewels in the crown of France's cultural heritage, which houses the intact treasures of a 19th century prince, Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale. The Domaine included the Castle and the park, the Horse Museum, Stables and Racetrack. 3 unique sites for an exceptional destination. Less than 30 minutes from Roissy, the Domaine de Chantilly, a jewel of French heritage, opens its doors to private and professional event organisers wishing to combine a prestigious setting, history, art and nature. Organise your evening at the largest princely estate in France.

VISIT CHANTILLY AND DISCOVER THE CHATEAU, PARK, AND STABLES THANKS TO THIS TICKET! VISIT CHANTILLY AND DISCOVER THE CHATEAU, PARK, AND STABLES THANKS TO THIS TICKET! Enjoy a visit to the Chantilly chateau. Listed as a hsitoric monument since 1988, visitors can learn all the secrets of the site. Equipped with an audio guide, explore the galleries of paintings and admire the 550 works on show thanks to the Duke of Aumale at the Conde museum. You will also have a chance to visit the appartments and see the decor. Visitors will also have access to the 115 hectare park and private gardens. Created by Andre Le Notre in the 17th century, the French gardens have many statues, fountains, and water mirrors. Discover the Hameau with its 5 small houses, as well as the English gardens with swans and aquatic birds. You might even see the park's kangaroos! Finally, you will be able to visit the stables, which date back to the 18th century, and access the horse museum.

This little gem awaits you on the Ile des Impressionnistes in Chatou : visit the workshops of the Sequana association ! In addition to the visit of the worshop, short cruises aboard the electric-powered boat "Chloé" are possible in spring and summer. Sequana restores and sometimes buids replicas of the boats used during the boating era: yoles, 'périssoires' (a type of dinghy), canoes and sailing boats. The association also does historical research and takes part in various nautical events and festivals. In Spring and Summer, Chloé, an electric boat, accepts 9 passengers in addition to the pilot and the sailor for a guided tour on the Seine. In times of Covid, cruises are limited to 6 people or 9 if they belong to the same family.

The Fournaise museum proposes a meeting with the artist during a show, punctuated by digital animations and videos, in the middle of the atmosphere recreated by the sets of theaters. of the museum. One hundred years after his death, Renoir is back in Chatou hologram! Familiarly, he tells us about his vision of painting, the harsh criticisms of his contemporaries, his workshop secrets, his loves, his relatives ... and the fertile inspiration drawn from the banks of the Seine. At the time of the first scandals, Durand-Ruel and some amateurs give him a decisive support by buying him paintings. Alphonse Fournaise is one of the first! He ordered his portrait and that of his daughter for 200 francs. For more than ten years, Renoir made frequent stays at home and around Chatou where he painted about thirty paintings. Aged nearly forty, he began the ambitious Breakfast of the Boaters. This painting, painted on the balcony of the Maison Fournaise, is the result of long research. The painter feels then that he has arrived "at the end of impressionism". This great admirer of the masters of the Italian Renaissance dreams of making this work a bridge between Veronese, Raphael and the modern life of his century. Retained at the Fournaise by his painting in 1880, he wrote to Monsieur de Bellio: "You will not regret your trip. It is the most beautiful place around Paris. " To complete your experience in the footsteps of Renoir, go back in time on the Fournaise hamlet thanks to the virtual reality helmets, wander among the characters of the Breakfast of the boaters with the tactile tablets or create your own work according to the master in painting Virtual. In this unprecedented show, technology offers an innovative, fun and surprising approach to an immersive journey in the heart of the painter's Impressionist years in Chatou. - Departures of visits every 30 minutes. Come 15 to 20 minutes in advance. - Duration of the show: about 60 minutes

The Grand Trianon was designed in 1687 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart to allow King Louis XIV to escape the excessive luxury of the Court and to safeguard his love affairs there. The site indeed exudes a sense of intimacy and refinement. The palace is inspired by Italian architecture and invites you to poetry and leisurely strolls. It was built on the site of Louis XIV’s former Porcelain Trianon. A little fun fact: in the past, the Grand Trianon was surrounded by thousands of potted flowers, which were changed every day. Today, this tradition is still maintained with each season. The spectacle was truly unique: flowerbeds bursting with blooms of every color and a wide variety of fragrances filled the air. Later on, the Grand Trianon was frequented by Napoleon Bonaparte and by Presidents of the Republic. From 1962 to 1966, General de Gaulle entrusted André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, with the restoration of the Grand Trianon.

The Petit Trianon was built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Gabriel, requested by Madame de Pompadour, mistress then friend of king Louis XV. Madame de Pompadour, who wished to “relieve the king’s boredom” — though no longer his mistress, she remained his friend — was the instigator of this small château, built by architect Gabriel between 1763 and 1768. It was erected near the Botanical Garden and the new menagerie, as Louis XV had a keen interest in the sciences. To please the marquise, always at the forefront of fashion, the king’s architect broke away from the rococo aesthetic and adopted a cubic form with very pure lines, in keeping with the brand-new “Greek style” then in vogue. Its simplicity is only apparent, for each façade is different, designed in relation to the space it overlooks: the courtyard, the French Garden with its elegant pavilion, the Botanical Garden, and the Florist’s Garden. Inside, one finds the same modernity of style. Simpler than the rest of the estate, the decoration of the Petit Trianon lies not in lavish materials — gilding is almost absent — but in the refinement of its sculptures, in a château entirely dedicated to nature. Madame de Pompadour died in 1764 and never saw the château completed. Today, it is above all the memory of Marie-Antoinette that it evokes. In 1774, Louis XVI gave the Trianon estate to his wife, who was able to live here a life apart — too much so for some — from the Court.

In the town center lies a real gem of Gournay's heritage, the Rue du Rempart with its fortifications and tower. A fortified town from the Middle Ages, Gournay retains few traces of its past. Only this tower, the conical base of another and the ditches remain of this defensive structure. Both a stronghold and a seigneurial residence, these fortifications lost their usefulness after the Wars of Religion. The ditches were sold to private individuals, and the gates were successively destroyed.

Mostly from the 11th and 12th centuries. Inside, capitals and columns carved with human masks and plant motifs.

It is in the heart of the Pays de Bray, that the Department of Seine-Maritime has granted in 2021 its label "Rural Heritage" to the war memorial of the charming village of Cuy-Saint-Fiacre. Let's go for its discovery! I set off early on the roads of Bray to enjoy the spectacle of undulating landscapes, green fields where cows and other animals graze, real postcards of Normandy. As a history and geography teacher, the study of international conflicts and the duty of remembrance is a regular part of the lessons I give to my students. Also, the discovery of this war memorial which recently obtained a distinction makes me curious. When I arrived in Cuy-Saint-Fiacre, I perceived the town as a place where life is good. Indeed, everything is superbly arranged; and I only have to follow the directional signs to find the church with the war memorial. I pass in front of the town hall and park on the parking lot of the community hall. I enjoy the scent of roses along the low wall of the church which leads me to the gate of the cemetery. I push one of the doors and in front of me, placed on its pedestal, I discover the monument in homage to the soldiers of Cuy-Saint-Fiacre who died for France. This is the one that has just been labeled "Rural heritage of the Seine-Maritime". After the armistice of 1914, all the villages of France wished to pay tribute to their children who died during the First World War by erecting monuments to the dead. I walk slowly and remember as a child with my classmates in the cemetery of my town. On November 11, the day of the Armistice, we would go one by one to lay our bouquet of flowers at the foot of the war memorial. There, we listened with attention to the speech of the Mayor! What memories! I suppose and hope that the children of the commune of Cuy-Saint-Fiacre continue to come to pay homage to these men who gave their lives for the nation. On the pedestal, I see the four shells linked by chains, completed by two steps which form the base of the monument. Three golden sprays placed at the foot of the monument complete the decor. I note the presence of many symbols related to the theme of war: a flag, a war cross, palms, military ornaments. The Latin cross on which are engraved the names of the children of the village sacrificed for France is topped by an Adrian helmet, symbol of the modern war. At the top, as if ready to fly away, I can see the rooster with its wings open. All this has an impressive side! The singularity of this monument is in its sobriety, its purity of lines, its smooth and round forms and its immaculate hard stone from Euville in the Meuse. The realization of this work is extraordinary. Its sculptor is none other than François Pompon, an animal artist who owns a house near the church and the cemetery of Cuy-Saint-Fiacre. The career of this sculptor is very prestigious: originally from Burgundy, he worked in many sculptors' studios, notably that of Rodin, and his works can be found in the most beautiful museums in the world, both in Europe and in the United States. I understand better the distinction obtained by this monument, which differs from many other commemorative sculptures that I have seen. I take a few pictures to illustrate my next classes and I take a few minutes to read the information given by the interpretation totem next to it. This discovery made me curious to discover the other sites labeled "Rural Heritage" by the Department. And I hope to discover some other nuggets!

A land of inspiration, discover the landscapes and colors of Normandy that have captivated the greatest masters: a land where art and nature meet in harmony. With its exceptional landscapes and colors, Normandy has always attracted many artists, for whom the region became a place to live and a source of inspiration. Between painting and writing, visits to museums and artists' former homes will be an original way to introduce your students to art in all its forms... DAY 1 In Giverny, visit the Musée des Impressionnismes, with its collection focused on the influence of Claude Monet's art. Visit the Fondation Claude Monet, for an insight into the artist's life. DAY 2 Guided tour of Rouen on the theme of Street Art. In the afternoon, visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, a precious testimony to the evolution of Gothic art. Then on to the Musée Pierre Corneille, the study where the author wrote "Le Cid". DAY 3 In Villequier, workshop visit to the Victor Hugo Museum (theme of your choice). Drive to Etretat to discover Maurice Leblanc's home: the Clos Arsène Lupin. An original place where you can enter the secret world of the famous "Gentleman Burglar".

Sophie and her team offer refined traditional cuisine and a range of menus from quick lunch menu to tasting menu. Dishes made using regional and Pays de Bray produce.

The bar-brewery La Libération offers you a warm welcome and a quality service with a traditional home-made cuisine. The terrace can accommodate about twenty people. It is located in a courtyard at the back of the restaurant to guarantee calm and serenity during your meals.

A warm, oriental setting where you can enjoy the best of Moroccan cuisine. L'Auberge d'Agadir is a mythical and unmissable place in the Pays de Bray, where you can experience the love of Morocco through generous and refined cuisine. Morocco is just a stone's throw away.

Meet us at the Prado. You will have a warm welcome and you will be able to taste very good pizzas.

In a warm and friendly setting with a shaded balcony upstairs.

Located in the town centre, we offer bistro-style cuisine and a menu including more than 20 pizzas, entirely homemade.

Come and enjoy a pleasant meal at the Marché aux Chevaux. Traditional cuisine in a pleasant setting.

In the heart of downtown, come and discover traditional and regional cuisine. Theme nights on Friday nights, concerts in a family atmosphere Home cooking. Tapas, oysters and snails from Normandy. The slate changes with the seasons. We have a restaurant room upstairs (40 places).

Restaurant/ Pizzeria/ Portuguese grilled chicken/ Daily specials, etc. Eat in, takeaway and delivery.

Natraj restaurant offers traditional Indian cuisine, on site, to take away or for delivery (free within a 10km radius for a minimum order of 25?). Open for lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday, 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Closed on Sundays. Summer terrace. Lunchtime specials at 12.50?

Along the beautiful and secret Lévrière valley, pass small bridges from village to village, always full of charm, the valleys, and ask Hébécourt. At the foot of the large oak tree and at the bottom of a vast garden, this pretty little cottage, character house with wood sides, is for you ! Elisabeth warmly welcomes you there with Olivier, they are unbeatable on this adorable little corner of the countryside and this historic region (you are still on the old French-Norman border!). The interior has the cozy side of a real country house, with its antique furniture, its tiles, its beams and its stone walls, with all the comfort expected today and in a current atmosphere. Garden side, great ! Just at the end of the road, a splendid view of the valley and the lower part of the village ! Close to Gisors is a small town very nice to discover. Enter through the steps after a few steps on the warm living room : you will enjoy the comfort of its lounge, near the wood stove, and its dining area. Right next to the functional and nice, very well equipped kitchen. Bright bathroom with toilet, towel dryer. Upstairs, 2 attic but spacious bedrooms, with exposed beams and views of the large oak. A double bed in each one. You will enjoy the covered and really nice terrace at the end of the house. The garden will delight young and old in search of area : 2000m² just for you for beautiful ball games, ping-pong or petanque, or just a good time of rest in the sun loungers. A plus : the many farms around, convenient for shopping during your stay ! The cottage is attached to a house, but completely detached and without any opposite.

In a pretty corner of quiet, undulating countryside, on the edge of a farm, the gîte du Mesnil welcomes you. Very comfortable, spacious and beautifully decorated, combining traditional materials and modern fittings, you will enjoy the natural appeal of this ecological renovation. The region offers many tourist spots, walks and hikes. GROUND FLOOR : hall, living room with kitchen, dining area and living room (pellet stove), 2 bedrooms (4 single beds 0.90 x 2 m), shower room, toilet. 1ST FLOOR : 1 bedroom (1 double bed 1.6x2 m), shower room with toilet. Baby equipment. At your disposal 2 cross country bikes (1 for a man and 1 for a woman) without any extra charge.

You'll enjoy staying in this Renaissance manor house, located in a small village of the "Vexin Normand". It offers large and magnificent rooms, a smart decoration and beautiful antique furniture...all you need for an unforgettable stay. You'll appreciate the large fenced garden of 2500m² and outbuildings all around. Ground floor: large living-room with fireplace, dining-room with fireplace, kitchen, 1 bedroom (1 double bed) with sitting-room, bathroom with toilet. 1st floor: 5 bedrooms (2 double beds, 6 single beds) - 1 with bathroom and toilet, 2 bathrooms and toilet, children's game area. Microwaves, dryer,hi-fi system,table tennis, tennis court as the owner house (300m away), swing, slide. Fuel heating

This old school of the village of Heudicourt is nowadays a vast and welcoming holiday home which offers a great comfort. Tastefully decorated, in a fresh and pleasant atmosphere, it promises a very pleasant stay with your family or friends. A 1500m² enclosed garden opening onto the meadows. GROUND FLOOR: hall, big living room with kitchen and fireplace, 2 bedrooms (1 double bed, 2 single beds), bathroom with shower and bathtube, toilet, small relaxing room with TV. 1st FLOOR: 3 bedrooms - 1 very spacious with lounge area and shower room (2 double beds, 2 single beds), bathroom, toilet, 1 small children bedroom. Table tennis, swing, slide, tennis court at the owners house (at 200m)

You dream of greenery and tranquility, come and relax at the Gîte des Hulottes. This pretty holiday home in the countryside, on the edge of a charming little village, will make you enjoy a quiet stay in a paradisiac environment : on an area of 40 hectares of woods and orchards, you can also sail in a boat on the pond of 5ha. The interior is warm and very current, while keeping tomettes and exposed beams that contribute to the charm of the place. For your comfort the towels are provided and the beds are made upon your arrival. Pretty enclosed garden. HOUSE ON THREE LEVELS : entrance to kitchen and dining room, living room, 2 bedrooms (1 double bed 160x200, 2 single beds 90x200), bathroom and toilet. Enclosed garden overlooking the forest and orchards. For your comfort, bathroom linen and sheets are provided. All charges are included (including also the cleaning fee). You will be seduced by the park of 40 hectares where you will rub shoulders including ducks, pheasants, deer...

Former 18th century barn, the self-catering holiday cottage Brindille (200 sq m) is a spacious, warm and friendly house located on the edge of the forest of Lyons in Normandy. An ideal place for family get-togethers, theatre or music rehearsals. Large living room with fireplace, mezzanine, 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets. Games room and table tennis.

For all those who need a break from their daily life. Both far and close to everything, along the Paris Londres Avenue Verte cycle route, close to the airport in Beauvais, "L’Etape Normande" is an authentic guest house. It is a former half-timbered cowshed renovated in keeping with Norman traditions and completely separated from the owners' house with a cathedral ceiling and a bathroom with a spa atmopshere. Breakfast is served on the terrace or by the fireplace in the owners' house. You'll have access to the fitness area and to the hot tub (15 minutes per night). You will be able to explore beautiful medieval villages nearby such as Gerberoy, St Germer de fly or Lyons la Foret or visit the Museum of Norman Arts and Traditions in Martainville, on the road to Rouen. You will be able to go hiking in one of the largest beech forests in Europe. Food lovers will enjoy Norman cuisine in fine dining restaurants.

GROUND FLOOR: large living room with fireplace, kitchen, 1 bedroom (2 single beds), shower room with toilet. 1ST FLOOR: 4 bedrooms (3 double beds, 3 single beds), shower room with toilet. A 800m² private enclosed garden. The owner will be glad to make you discover his cider and apple juice. This pleasant and welcoming gite is an ideal meeting place with your family or friends: a spacious and very comfortable house, games at your disposal (table tennis, table football...), enclosed garden to take advantage of sunny days, baby equipment. The owners' will welcome you onto their farm with great plesure and tell you about their beutiful region. Near the Seine and the Epte valleys and to Giverny