10 Best Things to Do in Essone
What is Essonne Most Famous For?
The best things to do in Essonne are teeming with history, and architectural buffs will delight in the region’s castles, churches and estates. The French department of Essonne, named after the river Essonne, is a prime holiday hotspot for those seeking to mix culture and relaxation.
The Church of Saint-Sulpice-de-Favières has a reputation of being one of France’s most beautiful village churches. Nature lovers will find parks with woods, forests and lush gardens, in addition to paths and trails for walking, hiking and cycling. Milly-la-Forét is a rural village with a rustic market every Thursday, while the Delta Museum is a much more modern experience that celebrates aviation.
What are the best things to do in Essonne?
1. Gatinais-Francais Regional Natural Park
A park with contrasting landscapes
Ideal para: Foto, História, Aventura
Gâtinais Français Regional Natural Park, which is about 120 kilometres southeast of Paris, covers more than 185,000 acres. You’ll be fascinated by the unique, contrasting landscapes. Woods and forests cover more than a third of the park, but there’s also agricultural land, sand and sandstone just waiting for you to discover them.
Numerous trails draw hikers and cyclists to the park, and there is a trail for everyone as the elevation gains range from 55 to 2914 metres. There are several magnificent castles surrounded by parkland, and villages sprinkled throughout the area have small museums to visit if you’d like to learn about the area’s fascinating history. Delve into the excavated Roman ruins while you’re here too.
Localização: 20 Bd du Maréchal Lyautey, 91490 Milly-la-Forêt, France
Abre: Monday–Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm, Wednesday from 2 pm to 6 pm, Thursday–Friday from 9 am to 1 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Telefone: +33 (0)1 64 98 73 93
Gatinais-Francais Regional Natural Park
2. Forest of Sénart
Old, scenic forest popular with walkers and cyclists
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Located between Paris and the Fontainebleau Forest, the Forest of Sénart is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by lush nature. More than 3 million visitors are attracted to this ancient forest each year, and it’s not hard to see why thanks to the multitude of walking trails and biking paths.
Formerly a royal hunting ground, the forest has several different species of trees, including oak, chestnut, birch and pine. Roe deer, boars, foxes, hares and squirrels are some of the animals that call the forest home, alongside reptiles and amphibians in the park’s 850 ponds. Why not see how many you can find, or help the kids build a den from fallen branches and foliage?
Localização: 91860 Épinay-sous-Sénart, France
Forest of Sénart
3. Dourdan
A medieval town with rich architectural heritage
Ideal para: História, Foto, Casais
Accessible via a short train ride from Paris, the main draw to the historic town of Dourdan might be the Château de Dourdan, a fairy-tale-like castle built in the 1220s. Through the centuries, the castle has been inhabited by many famous and notable people before becoming a prison, and it now houses a museum of local history. Traverse the fascinating exhibits and stay for poetry readings, theatre and medieval reenactments.
Dourdan holds more sightseeing opportunities including Saint-Germain-d’Auxerre, a centuries-old church with impressive Gothic architecture. The town’s royal forest, which is divided by the Orge River, contains hiking trails and a moderate, 19-km loop that begins at the Dourdan train station. Be sure to pack your hiking boots.
Dourdan
4. Étampes
A medieval blend of art and history
Ideal para: História, Alimentação, Foto
Étampes lies along the Juine River, about 45 kilometres from Paris, and is a gorgeous medieval town brimming with magical architecture. One of Étampes’ main attractions is the Guinette Tower at the ruined 12th-century Chateau d’Étampes. Take a moment to marvel and imagine the stories the crumbling walls could tell before exploring the small, surrounding park for fantastic views.
Meanwhile, the historic centre of Étampes is home to the Notre-Dame-du-Fort, a collegiate church that, while in disrepair, remains a fine representation of Gothic architecture complete with a Romanesque bell tower. Don’t forget to appreciate the town’s wonderful art galleries and museum before finding a charming café for coffee and pastries.
Étampes
5. Milly-la-Forêt
Picturesque historical village
Ideal para: Foto, Viagens alternativas, História
Travel about 60 km south of Paris to discover Milly-la-Forêt and its 15th-century wooden market hall, which still holds a weekly market selling freshly baked croissants and local artisan products. You also can’t miss The Cyclop, a huge sculpture made from 350 tons of steel and adorned with mirrors. Hidden in the forest nearby, access around the Cyclop is free, but purchasing a guided tour allows you to venture inside the awe-inspiring structure.
The area around Milly produces many aromatic plants, so visit the local company Darégal for culinary herbs that’ll add something extra special to any dish. If you’re after a more energetic Essonne activity, check out Atout Branches park’s acrobatic courses, treasure hunts, laser games and more.
Milly-la-Forêt
6. The Departmental Domain of Chamarande
Essonne’s largest public garden
Ideal para: Foto, História
Combining architecture, nature and the arts, the Departmental Domain of Chamarande estate aims to promote living heritage within its Louis XIII-style castle, gorgeous parkland and interesting exhibits. Only a 50-minute drive or a short train ride from Paris, a tranquil walk around the estate will delight you with its dense forests and prairies, a 17th-century formal French garden and a 19th-century English garden. See if you can find the beautiful Buffet d’Eau fountain or the orangery.
Protected by scenic moats, the elegant Château de Chamarande also houses incredible works of art, including sculptures by Phillipe Ramette and rotating exhibitions from contemporary artists. Time your visit right and you’ll be treated to concerts, outdoor cinema screenings and creative workshops.
Localização: 38 Rue du Commandant Maurice Arnoux, 91730 Chamarande, France
Abre: Daily from 9 am to 8 pm
Telefone: +33 (0)1 60 82 52 01
The Departmental Domain of Chamarande
7. Le Marais Castle
A quintessential French château
Ideal para: História, Casais, Famílias
Gazing at the opulent Louis XVI-style architecture of Marais Castle, it’s easy to imagine the grand parties and stories from when it was built in 1772. Several poets and writers have stayed within its walls, and you can learn about these and the castle’s history in the museum residing in the service quarters.
Known locally as Château de Marais, an almost 100-acre park surrounds the castle, which features an orchard and numerous pretty gardens. A 550-metre water mirror pool that reflects the castle’s western side provides incredible holiday pics, and the old mill regularly holds art exhibitions. Marais translates to ‘marsh’ in English, indicative of the area on which it was built, so be sure to bring good walking boots.
Localização: 21 Rue du Marais, 91530 Le Val-Saint-Germain, France
Le Marais Castle
8. Church of Saint-Sulpice-de-Favières
One of France’s most beautiful village churches
Ideal para: Foto, História, Aventura
For some truly stunning sights and holiday pictures, take a trip to Saint-Sulpice-de-Favières to see its iconic church, about 50 km south of Paris. Boasting a reputation as one of the most exquisite village churches in France, it towers above the surrounding village, and you’d be forgiven if you mistook it for a grand cathedral. It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries to welcome pilgrims, and it remains a striking example of Gothic architecture.
Step inside and admire the sun streaming through awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, and an intriguing 12th-century bust of St. Sulpice, a bishop said to have resuscitated a drowned child at this very spot.
Localização: 2-6 Pl. de l’Église, 91910 Saint-Sulpice-de-Favières, France
Abre: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Telefone: +33 (0)1 64 58 42 09
Church of Saint-Sulpice-de-Favières
9. Delta Museum
An intriguing aerospace museum
Ideal para: Foto, Famílias
Dedicated to aviation and the spectacular delta wing invented by French aeronautical engineers including Nicolas Roland Payen, the Delta Museum is a must-see for aerospace aficionados. You’ll spend hours studying the fascinating exhibits of the triangular-shaped wing that helped revolutionise the aviation industry.
Board the world’s fourth Concorde and learn about this legendary aircraft, as well as the sound barrier and the evolution of the cockpit. You’ll get to explore 6 different aeroplanes, including the PA-100, an experimental racing aircraft developed by Payen, and take a spin on a pilot-operated simulator.
Localização: 1 Av. Bernard Lathière, 91200 Athis-Mons, France
Abre: Wednesday and Saturday from 2 pm to 6 pm (closed on Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday)
Telefone: +33 (0)6 23 63 55 10
Delta Museum
10. Domaine de Courson
A romantic 17th-century estate
Ideal para: Foto, Luxo, Casais
Domaine de Courson, on the southwest outskirts of Paris, is a beautiful estate with plenty of history. It’s a site brimming with photo opportunities, like the delicate orange facade of Château de Courson, which was built in 1676, and the ornately decorated interiors of its several lounges. Take a guided tour to learn more about the estate’s remarkable past.
The Courson park was labelled a ‘Remarkable Garden’ in 2004 and you’ll see why on a leisurely walk around the lush landscape. Don’t forget to photograph the Giant Sequioa tree before taking the kids to the play area or settling down for a picnic. Overnight stays are available, as well as weddings and special events.
Localização: Domaine de Courson, 91680 Courson-Monteloup, France
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 2 pm to 5 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm
Telefone: +33 (0)1 64 58 90 12
Domaine de Courson
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