Everything for swimming..
There are 7 of them, and they form an impressive network: the Val Parisis conurbation's swimming pools are located throughout the region, and offer services that often go far beyond simple pool swimming. Every year, 500,000 users pass through the doors of these pools. Some have solariums, others have wellness facilities, and some are more geared towards sports (swimming, of course, but also aquagym or aquabike, for example). All offer lessons, and local schoolchildren are never far from one of these facilities. Local swimmers are eagerly awaiting (at the time of writing) the inauguration of the AquaVal: located in Taverny and Saint-Leu-la-Forêt, this huge complex will feature a 50-metre, 10-lane Olympic pool, a 25-metre second pool, a diving pit, a solarium and a wellness area. Designed by architects Jacques Rougerie, it will be one of the main sports venues in the area, and will bear the name of Alice Milliat, founder of the Women's World Games.
...and to float!
Although swimming in the Seine is forbidden (for the time being), water sports enthusiasts will find everything they need to have a great time here: the Ski Nautique Club d'Herblay invites you to practice this discipline in fine weather, towed on the river! But the list of activities on offer at the club, which is open to all, doesn't end there: mono-skiing, wakeboarding and figure skating are all on offer! Still on the water, but more leisure-oriented, the club offers you the chance to indulge in the joys of towed buoys! Further south, in La Frette, the SNF club (Sports Nautiques de la Frette-sur-Seine) complements the one in Herblay, offering a different range of sailing activities. Discovery (including introductory courses for children aged 10 and over) or regattas on the Seine for amateurs and experienced sailors. The club also offers paddle stand-up paddling, another way of exploring the river. Finally, although we don't have all the information at present, we can imagine that the future Seine Parisii district, on the banks of the river, will also offer water sports activities.
Races and hikes
Here, we combine running and trails: the best-known in the area is the Trail des Châtaignes. The Trail des Châtaignes, which is divided into several races of varying distances, allows you to survey the Buttes du Parisis in a natural setting where the gradient can sometimes be challenging. The races pass by the Fort de Cormeilles, a well-known heritage site, giving all the races a very special character. Last year's event featured two original features: a night race, and a duo race with your pet. Will you join last year's almost 2,000 registrants? As for road races, we recommend the race des coteaux de Saint-Leu-la-Forêt. It's a race with a difference in altitude that makes it unique. There are several distances to choose from: 1 and 2.2 kilometers (for younger runners), as well as 5 and 10 kilometers. Let's face it: the steep climbs mean that amateurs looking to improve their times will have to pass, but the conviviality of this not-to-be-missed event, which attracts around 500 participants in March, will be enhanced. And if you're not really interested in taking part in a competition, or if you're too keen to wait for an organized event, here are a few places where it's easy: along the Seine, between Herblay-sur-Seine and La Frette-sur-Seine, on the Parisis or Montmorency hills, in one of the many urban parks, or on the edge of the market gardening plain. Eventually, the Maubuisson forest promises to be another must-see destination. As for hiking, you can of course go it alone, but if you'd like to join a dedicated structure, then the Taverny rando-club will probably be one of the most convivial, inviting you to come and walk in the Montmorency forest on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Cycling
One of the region's many strengths is its cycling plan. The Val Parisis conurbation has launched a vast development project - most of which has already been carried out - to make it possible to cycle on a daily basis, but also for more leisure-oriented purposes. The aim is to create 200 kilometers of cycle paths, providing residents with an efficient network of routes linking the various communes. Crossed by the Véloroute V33, which links Paris to the English Channel, Val Parisis can now boast routes close to home. At the same time, various clubs invite you to take up cycling: the Association Sportive Herblay Cyclisme and the Avenir de Bessancourt are among them. Mountain bikers also have their annual rendez-vous: the Pont du Diable mountain bike races in Saint-Leu-la-Forêt. In May, the meeting point is the Carrefour des 4 Cèdres, which will be the starting point for the races: one is dedicated to licensed and non-licensed riders, and others are more geared towards leisure or family outings. And last but not least, there's no shortage of places to buy equipment.
Equestrian sports
There are many of them, spread out over the region, and they make riding easy for all levels: the Agglomération has no fewer than 8 equestrian centers. If you don't own a horse yourself, note that the vast majority of these are open to all, so you can practice, learn and take part in competitions, whatever your level. Equivil in Franconville, La Galop in Sannois, the Centre Equestre de la Montagne in Cormeilles-en-Parisis and the Centre Equestre de l'Espoir in Bessancourt, to name but a few, are among these. They are generally located in the immediate vicinity of green spaces and forests, so you can enjoy outdoor activities.
