The departement of Oise, located in the northern region of Picardy, is an area of stunning natural scenery, elegant castles and amusement parks. There really is something for everyone in Oise, no matter what your interests or your age. The region is particularly famous for its equestrianism, and the stables in and around Chantilly that train some of the top race horse in Europe. You can visit some of these stables, and the Grands Ecuries overlooking Chantilly racecourse, even has a museum dedicated to the animal. It was in Oise, in the forest near Compeigne, that the Armistice for World War I was signed in 1918. The event is commemorated with a memorial deep in the woods.
The region's main town is Beauvais, a real treat for those who enjoy historical buildings and fine art. Beauvais' Gothic cathedral is one of the main attractions, which though unfinished is still remarkable, boasting the highest chancel in France and a clock with 90,000 moving parts and no less than 52 faces. There is a museum in the town dedicated to archaeology, and featuring many artefacts found in excavations at the oldest houses in Beauvais, some of which date from the 1st century BC. There is also a tapestry gallery, celebrating the town's fame as a manufacturer of these works of art through the centuries.
Chantilly may be famous as an equestrian centre, but it is also home to a beautiful and picturesque castle. Inside, the opulent rooms feature works of art and priceless furniture, while the grounds are well worth exploring. The gardens here have their own canal network, a huge area of flowerbeds and, most intriguingly of all, an aerostat, which is a kind of tethered hot air balloon allowing visitors to get an aerial view of the castle and its surrounding area.
Children may not be amused by castles and cathedrals, but there are two theme parks in the west of Oise that they will love. The first is the Asterix Park, based on the famous cartoon strip about the Gauls and the Romans. Mainly featuring fairground rides, this will probably appeal more to teenagers than younger children. Further west is the Mer du Sable amusement park, which also has roller coasters and other rides, but also puts on live shows. The park has a Wild West theme, so many of the shows feature amazing horse riding tricks, knife throwing and shoot-outs!
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Oise? Then below is a selection of gites in Oise and villas in Oise that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
