The Oise, a land of heritage and gravel less than an hour from Paris! Claude Droussent takes you this month to discover this department in the north of Ile de France. In gravel. Paths less than an hour (or almost) from rue de Rivoli. Follow the leader.
The Oise from forest tracks to rural paths
Claude knows this department well, it is here that he grew up. He knows every corner so well that he offers you a Komoot “Collection” of eleven routes from 50 to 100 kilometers north of Paris, departing from SNCF stations located between 25 and 75 minutes by TER from the capital. Each route combines cycling interest and heritage riches, both natural and historical. Claude offers you his very personal top five for Weelz!. It’s a gift.
5 premium gravel routes near Paris, discovering the heritage treasures of the Oise department
The most emblematic “From Chantilly, in the heart of the Three Forests”
I was born in Senlis… I freely admit, I am not very objective here. You be the judge. But, it is indisputable, the massif of the Three Forests (Chantilly, Ermenonville, Halatte) is magnificent. This loop of almost 100 kilometers departing from Chantilly-Gouvieux station (25 minutes by TER from Paris-Nord) carefully avoids their sandy paths. However, it is almost only a pretext.
The historical heritage discovered along the way is exceptional: castle and Lions’ Trail from Chantilly (again castle and Grandes écuries on the way back), Jean-Jacques Rousseau park in Ermenonville, Chaalis abbey, Gallo-Roman temple in Ognon, narrow streets and cathedral of Senlis, sublime medieval city… We are equally amazed by the superb natural spaces: Commelles ponds, Butte aux Gens d’armes, Butte d’Aumont, Mont Pagnotte, etc. You would never think you were less than 50 kilometers from Paris.
Want a trace that fades into cream? Follow the Komoot link.
To note : the Chantilly castle park is now open to bicycles (with annual pass €30).
The most rural and gourmet: “From Beauvais to the Memory cycle route, via the Picardy Plateau”
This 55 km loop which sets off from Beauvais (1h15mn TER from Paris-Nord) to attack the Picardy Plateau took me by surprise: the majesty of Saint-Pierre cathedral, a Brunehaut road at the end of the slopes from Paris-Beauvais airport, a landscape of cereal crops and wind turbines as far as the eye can see, bucolic valleys as you wish and a Memory cycle route (V32) on the way back, picturesque village bistros.
And halfway, Crèvecoeur-le-Grand, which I didn’t know: 3,500 inhabitants, its pastry chef, king of Beauvais flan, its charcutier, 2024 French black pudding champion, and its tourist steam train!
Is the delicacy of rurality all yours? So, this is where it happens.
The most engaging: “Retz Forest and Automne Valley from Crépy-en-Valois”
On the menu, 630 meters of D+ in 65 km. Not so bad on this plot in the south of Hauts-de-France! This route, a loop starting from Crépy-en-Valois (45 minutes by TER from Paris-Nord), is very playful. Between beech groves of the Retz forest, tiny roads and agricultural paths in the Automne valley known as “the 35 bell towers” - this is what sets the (rural) scene.
We drive peacefully, keep your eyes everywhere: Coyolles manor, Muette gardens in Largny, Fossés castle where Alexandre Dumas spent his youth, Longpré priory, restored Lieu abbey, Morienval abbey, Gallo-Roman site of Champlieu, old ramparts and ruins of the Saint-Thomas de Canterbury collegiate church on the way back to Crépy-en-Valois.
The D+ is your hobby, the trace is there.
The most surprising: “From Beauvais to Méru via the Norman Oise and the French Vexin. »
As on the Picardy Plateau, we move away here (departing from Beauvais, 1h15mn by TER from Paris-Nord) from the forest imagination of the Oise. A change of scenery guaranteed despite everything. Departure from the prefecture, let’s take the time to admire Saint-Pierre Cathedral which will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the laying of its first stone in 2025, heading west towards the country of Bray and the Normandy Oise.
For Gerberoy of course and his label The most beautiful villages in France. Don’t escape the peat bogs of Saint-Pierre-es-Champs, Mont-Saint-Hélène then the forest of Thelle and the dolmen of Trois-Pierres. Further south, we approach the French Vexin and its gentle reliefs up to the Buttes de Rosne, altitude 216 meters, the highest natural point in Île-de-France since we engage a wheel (barely) in the Val d’ Oise! Return via Méru and its Mother-of-Pearl Museum, 50 minutes by TER from Paris-Nord.
Want to be surprised? So download the trace there.
The noblest: “The nuggets of the magnificent Compiègne forest”
It’s impossible to envisage the Oise department on gravel without leaving aside the beauties of the Compiègne forest. Nature is generous throughout this loop departing from Compiègne station (45 minutes by TER from Paris-Nord): remarkable trees including oaks up to 400 years old, smooth elms, Corsican pines, ponds, fountains… villages there have a rare charm: Saint-Jean-aux-Bois and its abbey church, Pierrefonds, Vieux Moulin.
And History is omnipresent: Gallo-Roman ruins of Champlieu, Pierrefonds castle renovated in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, Armistice clearing, Imperial Palace of Compiègne and its avenue of Beaux Monts, perspective of 5 kilometers long and 60 meters wide carved out of the forest, wanted by Napoleon I to delight his Empress Marie-Louise.
Have you always dreamed of meeting the nobility? Start by rolling it there. Should we suggest you slip this release in, now in mid-October? Yes, feast your eyes on the fall colors.
Ile de France is not the center of France!
You live far from Ile de France, you believe that Weelz! and Claude Droussent pour into an indescribable Parisianism? Nay, the next region suggested by Claude, to ride, will be the Pays Sancerrois. Until then, we can only recommend that you subscribe to Claude’s newsletter. Because he still has some route suggestions under his belt. Among others. Looking forward to next month. Thank you Claude.
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