Oise, a department rich in history and heritage, is home to some of the most beautiful villages in France. These architectural and natural gems not only offer picturesque landscapes, they have also inspired numerous artists and film-makers. Among them, Pierrefonds and its medieval castle, which inspired Walt Disney 's "Sleeping Beauty" and Alexandre Dumas' musketeer Porthos' home, or Château de Raray, immortalized in Jean Cocteau's film "Beauty and the Beast" . In this article, we invite you to discover the top 10 most beautiful villages in Oise.
1. Gerberoy, the village of roses in Picardy
Ranked as one of France's Most Beautiful Villages, Gerberoy's charm begins at first sight. Its brick houses and colorful half-timbered dwellings create an enchanting setting, ideal for a stroll and a trip back in time. The village is also renowned for its rich vegetation, notably the many roses that bring color and a pleasant fragrance when in bloom. The Charlemagne Tower, the ramparts, the vineyards overlooking the town and the terraced gardens of Le Sidaner are just some of the features that make Gerberoy one of the most beautiful villages in Northern France.
2. Saint-Jean-Aux-Bois, one of the most beautiful villages in Oise
One of the most beautiful villages in the Oise region. Welcome to Saint-Jean-Aux-Bois, a peaceful village with a population of less than 300, ideal for walks. Among the activities on offer, take a stroll through its majestic forest, where you'll find an oak tree reputed to be the oldest in France. Don't miss the beautiful abbey church, the elegant fortified gate, the charming little houses, the arboretum and the organ with its exceptional acoustics. The hamlet of La Brévière is also well worth a visit, with its stone-built houses, the Sainte-Périne pond and its listed forest house. The famous song "Mon amant de Saint-Jean" was composed in 1942 at the Auberge La Bonne Idée in Saint-Jean-aux-Bois.
3. Pierrefonds and its castle Walt Disney
Located on the edge of the Compiègne forest, Pierrefonds retains an authentic romantic charm. As you stroll through the town, you'll come acrossa number of fine bourgeois houses and a remarkable medieval château. Spotting the castle after crossing the forest of Compiègne is like stepping into a fairy tale or movie set. This unique blend of medieval fortress and elegant 19th-century architecture lends the château a singularly romantic aura. Don't forget to download the "La ménagerie fantastique" visitor app to discover the château with your family, in the company of fantastic animals. If you don't have enough time to visit the interior, take a tour of the château through the park (free access). Along the way, you'll see slingshots that have been preserved in their original state. Once at the top, the view of the château, the village, the pond and the forest is breathtaking! In short, amust-see in and around Compiègne!
Did you know? Walt Disney drew inspiration from Château de Pierrefonds for "Sleeping Beauty". It also inspired Alexandre Dumas to create the home of musketeer Porthos.
4. Reilly, one of Oise's most beautiful villages
When visiting Reilly, one of the most beautiful villages in the Oise region, don't miss its 11th-century Saint-Aubin church, 14th-century mill and elegant 19th-century château. The church houses one of the oldest Romanesque bell towers in the region. Nearby, the Manoir Saint-Germer, a former priory, boasts a 14th-century chapel and beautiful geminated windows. A few dozen metres away, the Saint-Aubin manor farm, a former 16th-century seigniorial residence, impresses with its courtyard façade, 15th-century turret, dovecote and finely sculpted entrance porch. Every year, the village enthusiastically celebrates its medieval festival (information from the town hall on 03 44 49 03 16, Tuesday to Friday afternoons).
5. Senlis, a charming medieval village near Paris
Looking for an idea for a day out around Paris, less than 1 hour by public transport? Senlis is a charming medieval village near Paris, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Stroll along its cobbled streets and admire the ancient houses and mansions of 12th and 13th century notables. You'll also discover well-preserved Roman remains, such as ramparts and theaters, as well as artefacts on display at the Museum of Art and Archaeology. And don't miss the Gothic Notre-Dame de Senlis cathedral , rebuilt with splendidly flamboyant side facades.
How do I get to Senlis from Paris? From Paris, take the RER D to Survilliers-Fosses station. Then take the R114 bus to Senlis, getting off at the Bordeaux-Odent stop. Allow 1h30 maximum, depending on your departure station in Paris.
6. Ermenonville and its famous amusement park
The nameErmenonville is closelylinked to the memory of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The philosopher spent the last weeks of his life here, dying in 1778. Another prominent figure, Nélie Jacquemart-André, also left her mark on Ermenonville, bequeathing Chaalis Abbey to the Institut de France in 1912. A visit to this abbey can be combined with a visit to the romantic ruins of the Cistercian abbey. Finally, if you're a family with children, take the opportunity to spend a day at La Mer de Sable, one of France's best amusement parks, in the era of the conquest of the West! The park is divided into three worlds: the Mississippi Valley, the New Mexico Desert and the Colorado Canyon. From the age of 2, children can join in the adventure, with many attractions accessible from 90 cm upwards. Older children can enjoy thrill rides like the Disco Loco.
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Read more: What to do in Hauts-de-France The 17 must-sees
7. Rosoy, a charming little village
Rosoy is a charming, typical village in northern Yonne, just 6 km south of Sens. Nestled in a meander of the Yonne since the Paleolithic period, the village is now nestled between two hills. It's the ideal place for a cocooning weekend close to Paris, thanks in particular to the little round cocoons of Bois de Rosoy. Perched in the trees, these luxuriously original cabins offer real bubbles of well-being. Just over an hour from Paris, this site in the heart of nature offers cabins equipped with round beds with heated blankets, under which a window lets you admire the stars. There's also a private Jacuzzi on the terrace, and packed lunches delivered directly for dinner and breakfast. An unusual and relaxing stay guaranteed!
Read more: 10 towns to go green just a few kilometers from Paris
8. Chantilly and its famous château
Although it's more of a small town than a village, we couldn't leave out Chantilly, a world-renowned city of art and history for several reasons. First of all, it's known as the city of horses, with a magnificent racecourse hosting the famous Prix de Diane in June. You can see the equestrian shows at the Grandes Écuries and the Musée du Cheval. And don't miss a visit to the Château de Chantilly, a jewel of French heritage, considered one of France's foremost museums of ancient paintings after the Louvre. At reception, you can download an app for a self-guided tour. The tour begins with a video in the chapel, where Stéphane Bern tells you about the history of the château.
Read more: Where to spend a weekend less than 2 hours from Paris? 19 destination ideas
9. Plailly
Less famous than the famous "Gallic" village it has been home to since 1989 (Parc Astérix!) Plailly has been a parish capital since the 6th century, and is well worth a visit. As far back as Roman times, the site seems to have been favored for the construction of a church. It is therefore possible that another edifice lies beneath the present-day church of Saint-Martin-de-Plailly, dating from the 12th century, which is of rare elegance and has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1862. Inside, the magnificently sculpted capitals, decorated around 1200, are of exceptional quality, reflectinga clear influence from Notre-Dame de Paris.
In Plailly, the famous "Parc Asterix" theme park immerses you in the world created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. A playful journey through the legends of ancient Gaul, populated by intrepid Gauls, clumsy Romans and mysterious druids, awaits you. To find out more, read our article Tips and tricks for your first visit to Parc Asterix.
10. Raray and its "Beauty and the Beast" castle
This small village is famous for its castle, where Jean Cocteau shot all the exterior scenes of his fantasy film "Beauty and the Beast", starring Jean Marais and Josette Day. Don't miss the church of Saint-Nicolas, whose bell tower dates back to the 12th century, while the rest of the building, rebuilt between 1520 and 1530, is in the flamboyant Gothic style. Admire the portal, one of the most richly decorated in the region. Inside, two double-sided painted panels adorn the nave. Dating from the early 17th century, these former sacristy doors depict four scenes from the life of the Virgin and Child Jesus in vivid colors: the Visitation, the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Circumcision.
