Val d'Oise is the most northern department in the Ile-de-France region - sharing its border with neighbouring Picardie and Haute Normandie. The Val-d’Oise is packed with interesting places to visit. It has long been a favourite with artists who come to find inspiration away from the crowded Parisian streets. There are a number of impressive châteaux in the department, including the Château de Ecouen, which is now a fine museum on the Renaissance.
Pontoise, which was once a popular retreat for monarchs, is a relaxing town located in the centre of the department. Its star attraction is its flamboyant cathedral with its rich mix of architectural styles. The artists Camille Pissaro, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cezanne all made their home here.
Val d'Oise is home to the Regional Nature Park of French Vexin, a vast rural area dedicated to preserving the natural landscape and heritage of a century ago so loved by the impressionist painters.
Relaxation and leisure are the two main occupations here. You can choose mountain biking in the Montmorency Forest, canoeing on the Epte, paragliding in the Avernes, horse riding in the L'Isle-Adam and carp fishing in the Carnelle Forest.Favoured by kings and noblemen, the Val d'Oise boasts castles and the Abbaye de Royaumont, undoubtedly the finest Cistercian abbey in the Ile de France.
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What's happening in Don't Mind? |
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| 09/04/2010 ABTOF Conference delegate list |
A regularly updated lisiting on delegates booked for the Lille conference, 23rd-25th April
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| 09/04/2010 ABTOF Conference 2010 Programme |
The definitive programme for the Lille Conference, 23rd-25th April
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| 03/10/2008 Grasse's International Perfume museum reopens its doors |
After a four-year renovation project, Grasse's international perfume museum will reopen its door for business on 18 October.
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| 26/08/2008 Go Grand For a Massif French Ski Holiday |
Overlooked in the past in favour of more popular holiday spots such as Provence and Brittany, the rugged interior of France’s Grand Massif holds much appeal for tourists, whatever time of year you visit.
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| 22/12/2008 Portrayal of France in the travel sections of this weekend's national newspapers |
Ski, ski and more ski. Huge snowfalls in the Alps and Pyrenees mean ski conditions in France are the best for many, many years
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| Festival Guitares du Monde |
| March |
Troyes, Aube
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| This annual music festival, held in St-André-les-Vergers on the outskirts of Troyes, is a showcase for guitarists from around the world. |
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| Festival Vidéoformes |
| March |
Clermont - Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme
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| The Vidéoformes festival celebrates new media and digital art forms with a programme of screenings and exhibitions throughout the town. |
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| Paris Gay Pride |
| June (Annual) |
Paris
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| The romantic, enchanting city of Paris celebrates Gay Pride at the end of June with a massive parade that draws more than 500,000 spectators and participants as well as a series of parties, balls, and other lively events. |
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| Coupe Icare |
| September (annual) |
Saint Hilaire du Touvet
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The oldest free flight festival in the world, the Coupe Icare, is a two-day celebration of all aircraft that rely on nature to keep them in the air.
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| Chicken Festival Saint Sever |
| December (Annual) |
Clôtres Jacobins, Saint-Sever
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The medieval town of Saint-Sever is very proud of its chicken population, which it celebrates every year at the Clôtre des Jacobins during Festivolailles. Visitors can taste the town's famous…
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| Offers |
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Special Offers on Luxury Hotel Barge Holidays!
European Waterways have some amazing special offers on their luxury hotel barges throughout France.
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Canvas Holidays - September from £199 per party
Enjoy 7 nights in a mobile home from £199 per party - inlcuding your Dover to Calais ferry crossing.
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Alan Rogers Guides & Travel
Pitch reservations & mobile home holidays across France & Spain. Pay at-the-gate prices, with a small, one-off admin fee and we'll organise it all for you. Free Child Places and Special Offers available. Alan Rogers Guides have been the market leading campsite guides since 1968. Also Camping Cheque programme (www.campingcheque.co.uk) for low season touring with savings up to 60%
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VFB Holidays Wine Lovers River Cruise
5-night vintage river cruise along the Saone & Rhone rivers from £998pp. Departs 17 Oct 2010.
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Studios in Nice
Studio for 2 in Nice, complex with garden & pool, 800m from beach, for w/c 7/8/10 - £754/wk
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Mobile Homes in South Brittany
Pleasant parc, with pool including slide & kids club only 1000m to beach and near La Trinite sur Mer
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Headwater's Canoeing on the Dordogne
Friendly hotels, great fun for children, lovely flat river, superb cuisine.
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Corsica holidays
Corsica holiday villas with pools and by the sea. We have the biggest and best choice available.
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