On the left bank of the Oise, the Oise-Pays de France Regional Nature Park, created in 2004, covers 60,000 hectares in the departments of Oise and Val-d'Oise. Its varied landscapes and rich cultural heritage make it an unmissable place to visit, a stone's throw from the capital.
Its woodland, limestone and wetland environments make it a choice habitat for the local flora and fauna. Roe deer, foxes, does, badgers, bats, owls, insects and amphibians are just some of the many species that live harmoniously side by side there. Take a hike amid the sandy moors, marshes, valleys, ponds or calcareous grasslands to spot some of them. If you prefer a more athletic outing, jump on your bike or ride a horse, as the park is well suited to sporting activities.
Bounded by four majestic forests (Ermenonville, Chantilly, Halatte and Carnelle), the park opens out onto vast plains surrounded by three rivers, and includes areas as diverse as the sandy moors of Ermenonville, the Théve marshes and the grasslands of the Oise hillsides. The site's many watering places feature mills, washhouses and fountains, giving it an undeniable charm. You can enjoy a lovely stroll by the four ponds of Commelles, a remarkable site covering almost 40 hectares in the heart of the Chantilly Forest.
In the Oise-Pays de France Park, the built heritage is another major draw. Soothed by the sound of the river flowing below, you'll see typical villages nestling on the banks of the Ysieux or the Nonette, with houses built from the local limestone. Churches and abbeys, as well as menhirs, arenas and an oppidum, all bear witness to the area's history over the centuries. The superb abbey of Royaumont, built in the 13th century by St. Louis, as well as the Château de Chantilly, the royal city of Senlis, or the abbeys of Chaalis and Le Moncel, are all evidence of this verdant area's prestigious past.
The Park House (Maison du Parc), which is also its administrative headquarters, is located in Orry-la-Ville, within the walls of the Château de la Borne Blanche, a beautiful 19th-century building that was once used as a hunting lodge. Its purpose is to guide you in discovering the secrets of the place, and to offer a wide range of activities and events.
