Pontoise is a town in the Val-d'Oise department, in the Île-de-France region, some 25 km northwest of Paris.
Its territory of 7 km² borders the right bank of the Oise which constitutes its "eastern" limit, dominating its confluence with the Viosne. Pontoise is the capital of the natural region and the former province of French Vexin.
The city developed from the High Middle Ages, on the Saint-Martin plateau, to the south, and its commercial vitality was already notable in the 9th century because one could cross the Oise there. After the first Norman incursions in 885, the inhabitants settled on Mont Bélien, further north (current rue du Château).
After the year 1000, the city was fortified, becoming a “border” with the Duchy of Normandy. The kings of France like Philippe Auguste in the 12th century who granted a charter to the inhabitants considered it strategic.
From the Wars of Religion and the troubles of the League (end of the 16th century), besieged several times, Pontoise lost its status as a border town and trade declined.
In the 19th century, its influence was once again evident, and like Camille Pissarro who settled there, the city and the charms of the valley were popular with impressionist painters.
Today, Pontoise, which has a little over 32,000 inhabitants, has been labeled a City of Art and History, and highlights its heritage and its leisure offerings. A step is necessary...
Many buildings are protected as historic monuments, and a discovery tour can begin with the Saint-Maclou cathedral, listed in 1840, and which dominates the old center. The building has undergone successive alterations: the apse and the transept still display a primitive Gothic style (12th century), but the facade is flamboyant Gothic (15th century) while the side aisles are typical of the Renaissance (16th century). There are housed a number of items of furniture and works (paintings, statues) classified as objects.
Outside the old ramparts, still on a religious level, to see next, the Notre-Dame church, built in the 12th century but destroyed in 1589 during the siege of the city during the League's troubles. Rebuilt in 1599, we note its porch remodeled in the 18th century and inside, the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Santé which owes its name to Saint-Louis. Having fallen ill at 'Oise), a beautiful private mansion remodeled in the 18th century in a neo-classical style, are also to be admired.
The old Patis mill (18th century), immortalized by Cézanne, now headquarters of the Council of Architecture, Town Planning and the Environment, the former Enfermés hospital with its classical style facade and portal (today, the Parc-aux-Charrettes school), are still worth mentioning, as are the facades of the old town hall (18th century).
The Estouville mansion is earlier, built at the end of the 15th century and still displaying a Renaissance facade and turrets.
Finally, the facade of the Cordeliers chapel (flamboyant Gothic) and the remains of the old medieval ramparts, portions of which are preserved (Jardin de la Ville), are also included in the Inventory.
Guided tours of the old center and heritage sites, but also of neighborhoods on the outskirts that have retained their character (devoted in particular to crafts or having retained a semi-rural appearance) are offered throughout the year: registrations and information from the tourist office on +33 1 34 41 70 60.
More occasionally, visits are also dedicated to the underground heritage (galleries, chapels, etc.) dug into the limestone of Mont Bélien...
A walk in, rue de la Coutellerie (which occupies part of the former moat), the Lavandières garden, to the west of the town, from where a path along the river allows you to go to the Couleuvre mill, which was painted Paul Cézanne… And there are also the park of the Marcouville castle and the Larris park, south of the A 15 motorway.
The city also has numerous cultural facilities, starting with two museums.
Installed in a 15th century mansion with corner turrets, pepperbox roofs, mullioned windows, which was the home of the Grand Vicar of Pontoise, the Tavet-Delacour museum preserves the historical collections of the City. He has also now specialized in contemporary art (Otto Freundlich, Matisse, Hans Arp...). Price: 4 to 7 euros. Currently closed for work. Information on +33 1 30 38 02 40.
The Camille-Pissarro museum is located in a bourgeois residence, within the park of the old castle. It pays tribute to the painter who lived in the city from 1866 to 1883 and invited many of his friends there (Cézanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin, in particular). The collection consists of etchings by Camille Pissarro, but also works by the many artists who were inspired by the Oise valley in the second half of the 19th century. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Free admission. Information on +33 1 30 73 90 77.
Other major sites and cultural facilities should be mentioned: the Utopia cinema (contact on +33 1 30 37 75 52), the Caméléon room dedicated to amplified music (contact +33 1 34 43 34 43), the Dôme, a hall dedicated to shows inaugurated in 1913 or the Louvrais theater (information on +33 1 34 20 14 25).
For sports enthusiasts, the municipal swimming pool includes very pleasant outdoor facilities in the summer (with solarium and outdoor pool): contact +33 1 30 32 98 79.
In addition, "playgrounds" dedicated to football and basketball are located in different neighborhoods and a large complex is accessible for tennis enthusiasts (courts to be reserved with the club on +33 1 30 31 06 68).
In the city and its surroundings, including the banks of the Oise or the parks, a number of circuits have been designed for running (or walking). Paths are also dedicated to the discovery of urban landscapes, sites or the banks of the Oise which inspired Pissarro and his friends. Finally, still for hikers, on foot or by bike, secure routes can lead downstream towards Auvers-sur-Oise or L'Isle-Adam or even south towards the forest of Saint-Germain: maps and information from the tourist office at +33 1 34 41 70 60.
Finally, note that a family visit to the educational farm on rue des Pâtis can be pleasant... Information at +33 1 30 32 03 72.
