The nature that surrounds the Île-de-France and Paris, through parks, estates and forests, offers multiple opportunities for fun and sports getaways with the family. Our selection.
To discover
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Àvélo, from Senlis to Chantilly (Oise)
Come with your bike or rent one on site, to pedal in a charming setting that also appeals to the youngest. Caroline Ledoux - Aquacalypso - Oise Tourism
The great national forests of the Oise invite you to pedal your nose to the wind between village and forest. The Avenue Verte London Paris cycle route crosses seven departments and two countries for a total distance of 470 km. Before embarking on such a journey, you can walk the fifteen kilometers of track from Senlis to Chantilly, to observe the half-timbered houses, the Gallo-Roman and medieval ramparts, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Royal Castle of Hugues Capet, before crossing the fields to Chantilly.
For those who are not yet equipped, it is possible to rent adult and child bikes at Bobebike in Chantilly, which even offers "baby van" trailers to transport the little ones.
www.oise-nature.com; Tel.: 06.03.44.89.73; www.bobebike.com
The forest of Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
On the trail of the many animals of the forest: an activity that will delight young and old. Yannick Daigneau
This huge forest, home to protected plant species and the largest arthropod fauna in Europe, offers endless opportunities for walks on its paths. The youngest will love the storytelling tours led by the storyteller-musician Dominique Motte or go on the trail of wild boars, deer and fox during a visit with Yannick Dagneau, wildlife photographer. The better we know the forest, the better we protect it: to know everything about the biotope, geology and vegetation of this place classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the biodiversity visit will fascinate teenagers.
Storytelling walk: 16 € per adult, 9 € for 5-12 year olds; Animal wildlife visit: 16 € per adult, 9 € for 8-12 year olds; Biodiversity visit: 16 € per adult, 9 € for 6-12 year olds. Tel.: 01.64.70.77.69; www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com
The castle of Breteuil (Yvelines)
Scenes from Perrault's tales, a picnic in the park... the castle, in the heart of the Chevreuse valley allows multiple family activities. JONATHAN - stock.adobe.com
Located in the heart of the Chevreuse valley 35 km from Paris, between Versailles and Rambouillet, the Breteuil estate covers 75 hectares. Built in 1610, the castle remained the property of the Breteuil family, who imagined a guided tour through the rooms of the castle, but also scenes from Perrault's tales installed in the stables, where wax mannequins designed by the Grévin Museum are illuminated throughout the story told.
Classified as a "remarkable garden", the park allows a long walk under the three-hundred-year-old oaks, chestnut trees or rose pergolas, before joining the labyrinth of hedges that captivates children. On the tables, family picnics are allowed.
Park open from 10 am, visits of the castle from 14h to 17h30. Tickets from €11.30; Tel.: 01.30.52.05.11; www.breteuil.fr
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The farm of Gally (Yvelines)
What could be more pleasant to harvest your own fruits and vegetables? Just borrow a wheelbarrow and travel the sixty hectares to fill it with salads, potato, rhubarb or iris. A few hundred meters away, the educational farm allows children to meet donkeys, goats, sheep and pigs. The only constraint: to regulate attendance, you must register online and book your visit slot.
Pick-up: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 18pm, Sunday from 10am to 13pm. Entrance to the farm: from € 4.10 per person. Tel.: 01.39.63.30.90; www.lesfermesdegally.com
Jean Racine Road (Yvelines)
A stroll on a marked path allows you to get some fresh air in settings that will appeal to the youngest. Press photo
The regional park of the Chevreuse Valley is crisscrossed by hikes, mixing forest, plains, farms and many historical sites. Ideal for introducing the youngest to walking, the Jean-Racine Road is a ten-kilometre walk that connects the Château de la Madeleine to the Abbey of Port-Royal. The ramparts and the inner courtyard of the castle, a former medieval fortress, can be visited freely and offer a breathtaking view of the valley.
Then the marked path winds through forest, houses and valley, to the ruins of the abbey. This five-kilometre route is not a loop, so you have to travel it again to reach the castle, where a car park has been set up to accommodate cars.
www.parc-naturel-chevreuse.com
Sleeping in a hut (Oise)
Cabins perched in bicentennial oaks offer a timeless moment with the family. Hello
Falling asleep to the sound of the forest, rustling, hissing, hooting... Direction Raray, in the Oise, 45 minutes north of Paris. These cabins perched in bicentennial oaks, thirteen meters above the ground for the highest, are equipped with unprecedented comfort and ecological Nordic baths.
To ensure that the trees were not damaged or hindered their development, the constructions were monitored by forestry experts. A timeless moment, for both parents and children, who fall asleep in front of the starry sky. Only seven meters above the ground, the Tribu hut is perfectly secured to accommodate them.
Coucoo Grand Chêne, 1 rue Jean-Cocteau, 60810 Raray
From 255 € the family hut, breakfast included.
Tel : 03.44.58.39.08; www.cabanesdesgrandschenes.com
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Treasure hunt in the Bois de Vincennes
Baladenigm proposes to discover in another way the Parisian green lung. Press photo
What if, to change traditional walks, we made them discover this immense green space by conducting the investigation? Equipped with a logbook printed or downloaded to the smartphone, we advance for 2 to 3 hours on a course punctuated by questions, surprises and discoveries. From the pagoda to the temple of love to the zoo, young and old learn more about what was the hunting ground of the kings of France. A good idea to spend a beautiful afternoon with the family.
Kit 19,90 € for 2 to 5 people. www.baladenigm
Barbizon, the painters' circuit (Seine-et-Marne)
The charming village is also a starting point for family hikes. stock.adobe
The famous village of impressionist painters is also the ideal starting point for six hiking trails. The shortest, easy to explore with the little ones, leads from the city to the unusual elephant rock, while a six-kilometre loop rushes into the forest, discovering the gorges of Apremont, the cave of the brigands and the sandy desert.
Place Marc-Jacquet, 77630 Barbizon.
Tel.: 01.60.66.41.87. www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com
Parc des Lilas (Val de Marne)
This 96-hectare park allows you to discover different species of plants or animals. Department of Val de Marne
From the heart of Vitry to the slopes of the Seine, this park unfolds 96 hectares of meadow, hedges, woods, agricultural and market gardening activities in the heart of the urban area. Enough to take a bath in greenery and introduce the youngest to a varied nature: since 1990 the park is indeed classified as a Sensitive Natural Area and thus protected because of its ecological interest.
To learn more about the different species of plants or animals crossed while walking, simply download the Eco Balades application and hope to see the squared decticelle (a grasshopper), the plantain mellita (a butterfly) or the friquet sparrow.
Entrance Rue Paul-Armangot, avenue Lemerle-Vetteror rue Julian-Grimau, 94 400 Vitry-sur-Seine. www.valdemarne.fr
Fishing with Malowe Nature (Yvelines)
Children can fish for trout in three ponds. Tables are available for a picnic. Malowe Nature
On the site of this small permaculture farm bordered by the Vaucouleurs River, three ponds on which it is possible to fish several varieties of trout. For those who do not have rods, floats and reels in a closet, the shop lends all the necessary equipment and allows you to stock up on bait.
A few picnic tables placed at the water's edge allow you to linger for lunch or snack with the family.
Half day: €14.95 per child (up to 12 years old) and €15.95 per adult. Cane provided. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 17pm or 8am to 18pm, and in July August. 4 chemin de la Maladrerie, 78790 Rosay. Tel.: 06.30.31.51.47; www.malowenature.com
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This article is being updated.
