Running in Val Parisis: between the Seine and the forests
- audreyubertino
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Val Parisis Urban Community comprises fifteen municipalities in the Val d’Oise, just a few kilometres from Paris. Val Parisis has many tourist attractions thanks to its landscapes, heritage and geographical location. Its natural areas also provide an ideal setting for all lovers of walks and hikes, whether on foot or by bike.
Stretching from the banks of the Seine to the Montmorency Forest, the Val Parisis Urban Community has set itself the task of developing and promoting its region and its tourism offering. Since its creation in 2016, the Community has already undertaken several initiatives in this regard, and numerous projects are currently underway to enhance the region’s appeal.
The cradle of the Val d’Oise
Over the past few decades, a number of archaeological excavations have brought to light numerous ancient remains in the communes of Val Parisis. In particular, a Neolithic necropolis (4750–4400 BC) was discovered in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, providing evidence of human settlement in the region as far back as prehistoric times. Remains dating from Antiquity and the Middle Ages have also been unearthed and can still be seen today. You may come across some of them during your walk, which will take you, amongst other places, along the Chaussée Jules César.
The Gallic period was characterised by a remarkable people: the Parisii. They lived in what is now the Paris region and took part in the resistance movement against Caesar alongside Vercingetorix in 52 BC. Their name may derive from the Gallic word ‘kwarisi’ and is the origin of the name of the city of Paris and the entire Parisis region.
Architectural and cultural heritage
The towns in the urban area boast a varied architectural heritage, ranging from small castles to Gothic churches. The town with the richest heritage is undoubtedly Eaubonne, once known as ‘the town of fifteen castles’. During your stroll, be sure not to miss the Château de la Chesnaie or the Petit Château, designed by the famous architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux. The town also stands out as the only one in the urban community to boast three churches, each from a different era and in a different style. Don’t miss the Church of Saint-Martin in Herblay-sur-Seine either, which is one of the oldest in the area and offers a magnificent view of the Seine.
The riverbanks have, in fact, inspired many Impressionist artists, such as Pissarro, Cézanne and Marquet, since the 19th century. Your walk will take you along the Impressionists’ trail in La Frette-sur-Seine, where you can discover the finest works by the artists who set up their easels in the town, thanks to information panels and reproductions of 19 masterpieces.
It is not only the landscapes along the banks of the Seine that have attracted artists. Many painters have also come to the region to paint the famous mills of Sannois. In the 18th century, there were three mills on Mont Trouillet. Today, only one remains, which you can admire during your cycle ride.
Green and Blue Heritage
Whilst Val Parisis boasts a rich cultural heritage, it is also a lush green setting, the ideal backdrop for walkers and hikers. Whether you’re on foot or by bike, alone or in a group, you’re bound to find something to suit you amongst the region’s natural areas, parks and forests. Your walk along the Seine will take you, in particular, to the edge of the Buttes du Parisis, through Schlumberger Park, which offers splendid views of the Paris metropolitan area.
For keen cyclists, cycle paths have been built or are currently being built along the Seine as part of the ‘Seine à vélo’ scheme, a cycle route linking Paris to Le Havre and Deauville as it follows the river’s meandering course.
Val Parisis is also a land of vineyards and mineral waters. Vineyards did indeed exist in certain towns for several centuries, such as in Sannois and Ermont. Whilst wine-growing has now all but disappeared, its legacy lives on in the names of certain localities (Vignolles, Bonnes Vignes, etc.) or the coats of arms of certain towns. A few towns have even replanted small vineyards to keep this winemaking tradition alive. As for mineral water, it comes from the numerous springs that criss-cross the region. Several bottling companies operated here during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Sannois mill to the Château de la Chesnaie!
Find all the routes in the Val Parisis Urban Community and over 1,700 more on the JOOKS app.
Si necesitas confirmar una jugada, consultar los números de Win 4 anoche puede ser una opción práctica. La información de la fecha permite localizar exactamente el sorteo buscado. También resulta útil que las cifras estén presentadas de manera sencilla, porque esto facilita la comparación y evita confundir diferentes resultados.
I appreciate your insights on the scenic running routes in Val Parisis! Having explored similar areas, I’ve found that mixing up snake terrains—like incorporating forest trails with river paths—greatly enriches the experience. Have you tried this approach?