Free things to do near Parc Asterix

Castles, lakes, wild walks and heritage towns—our pick of the best free adventures near Parc Astérix.

Forest picnic benches

The world of Parc Astérix extends far beyond its gates—into a region teeming with wild woods, tranquil lakes, living history and vibrant local villages. Whether you’re unwinding in forests, tasting real market life, discovering ruined castles or wandering lively old town streets, the best adventures in Oise and Picardy are as open as the landscape itself. With the right shoes and a curious spirit, you’re ready for a freewheeling family day rich in memory and discovery.

Explore Ermenonville Forest

A short drive from Parc Astérix, the Forêt d’Ermenonville is one of the region’s largest and most beautiful woodlands, offering more than 3,000 hectares of pine and oak trees threaded with hiking and cycling trails. These trails are well marked, ranging from easy rambles to longer loops through rolling hills and windswept clearings. Pick up a free walking map (available at the tourist office or posted at trailheads) and set off beneath towering trees, where you might spot deer, birds and—if you’re lucky—perhaps even a wild boar snuffling in the undergrowth.

There are plenty of picnic spots along sandy trails, wooden footbridges over little streams, and family play areas near the park entrances. The forest is also home to historic sites—look for the 18th-century ‘Desert’ folly and medieval menhir stones hidden among groves. In spring, the clearing beside Étang Chapelle comes alive with wildflowers; in fall, the canopy glows gold and orange. Locals use the space for running, mountain biking or forest bathing.

Breathe deep, bring a camera, and lose yourself in a world that feels a million miles from the theme-park crowds. For outdoor families and nature lovers, the Ermenonville Forest offers hours of free fresh-air fun, come rain or shine.

Picnic and paddle at Lac d’Ermenonville

Family picnic

Tucked at the edge of Ermenonville village, a 15-minute drive from Parc Astérix, Lac d’Ermenonville is a peaceful, photogenic lake that’s fully open to the public. Stroll the perimeter trail, take in swan and duck sightings on the mirrored water, and settle down for a picnic under the shade of willows and poplars. The surroundings are laid-back and family-friendly, with open meadows, benches, and sandy corners for paddling.

There’s a small, charming play area for kids, plus a fitness course with wooden exercise stations for those who want to add a little activity to their day. In summer, local residents cool their feet in the water, and anglers try their luck from the gently curved jetty. On weekends, boaters and paddleboarders skim across the lake—while the north end occasionally hosts outdoor yoga or tai chi classes for visitors to join (check local Facebook groups or noticeboards for schedules).

Bring a camera for the postcard views and a spare baguette to share with friendly ducks and coots. The mood is easy, and the lake gives you a family day out that feels chilled and distinctly French—at absolutely no cost.

Stroll French and English gardens at Parc Jean-Jacques Rousseau

 

Ermenonville is famous for its Parc Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a vast landscape garden open year-round and free to enter. Named for the philosopher who spent his last days here, the park is a dreamy mix of ‘jardin anglais’ (romantic, winding paths) and ‘jardin français’ (with classical lines and vistas), dotted with poetic follies and ruins.

Start at the grand entrance and follow trails that wind along reflective lakes, past classical temples, tiny stone bridges, water cascades, and Rousseau’s tomb on its quiet island. Interpretative plaques reveal the history of each whimsical monument, from ancient grottoes to 19th-century boating kiosks. Kids can search for frogs and butterflies, while art-lovers and architecture aficionados will appreciate the park’s blend of wildness and symmetry.

It’s a space made for slow wandering or an afternoon read on the grass beneath ancient trees. For a walk back in time, the Parc Rousseau is the best free secret in the Oise.

Discover the medieval town of Senlis

 

Only a short drive (or bus ride) from Parc Asterix, Senlis is one of northern France’s most atmospheric small cities, with nearly its entire old center open to wandering visitors. Explore narrow, winding streets lined with half-timbered houses and Renaissance townhouses, and admire the impressive cathedral—one of France’s earliest Gothic masterpieces.

There’s no charge to step inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Senlis, which wows with soaring vaults, carved choir stalls and colorful stained glass. Stroll the ramparts and peek through stone archways where ancient city walls hug calm, flower-filled gardens. Stop by Place Henri IV to see the old royal residence, now open as a free exhibition space for local artists—often displaying contemporary sculpture and painting.

History fans can follow plaques marked through the cobbles, revealing tales of kings, Joan of Arc, and even Roman ruins at the edge of town. On market days (Wednesdays and Saturdays), the main square bursts with color and a classic French village vibe—stallholders invite you to browse and sample, with no pressure to buy.

Window-shop and market-hop in Plailly village

 

Don’t overlook Plailly itself! This welcoming rural village, just minutes from Parc Asterix, offers a surprisingly authentic taste of local life—with no spend required. Walk the pretty main street, study the Romanesque church’s porch and bell tower, and look for the traditional French town hall with its summer flower boxes.

Pop by the bakery for a whiff of fresh baguettes, or stroll the pavement on Saturday morning when the weekly market sets up on the main square. Here, cheese-makers, farmers, honey sellers and the odd brocanteur line up their wares. There’s usually free live music or a children’s arts session on festival weekends; in July and August, you’ll find local bands and village fetes advertised on notices pasted to the trees.

Locals greet you warmly, and even if you’re just browsing, you’re immersed in the rhythms of real countryside France—cows in fields on the village edge, kids cycling to school and grandad reading his newspaper at the cafe. For a slow, friendly and budget-friendly break, Plailly village is an unexpected highlight.

Wildflower rambles at La Mer de Sable dunes

 

Just south of Ermenonville forest, the ‘Sea of Sand’ is a patch of wild, rolling dunes—remnants of an ancient riverbed and one of the most unusual landscapes north of Paris. While the amusement park La Mer de Sable costs money, the surrounding trails and pine woods are open to walk, free of charge.

Choose the well-marked circuits: they snake along dune ridges, through heather and wild gorse, and offer wide open skies (perfect for kite-flying or birdwatching). The sunsets here can be spectacular, splashing pink and gold over the sands, while the spring and early summer bring carpets of wildflowers—bluebells, broom and wild orchids popping out of the golden ground. Interpretive signs at trailheads detail the area’s unique ecology and how the landscape has inspired both scientists and artists. Along the edges of the dunes, you might spot lizards sunning on logs or woodpeckers tapping away at dead trees.

The wider pine forest is a favorite with local families for Sunday walks, and if you climb one of the sandy rises, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views stretching toward the Chantilly region and the distant line of Paris’s suburbs. Early risers and sunset-chasers often have the dunes to themselves, with only the rustle of wind in the grasses and the calls of migrating birds for company.

Step back in time at the Chantilly Racecourse and Grand Stables

 

A short drive north brings you to Chantilly, famed for its château and spectacular stables—note that the Musée du Cheval does charge an entry, but the exteriors and surrounding grounds are open to enjoy for free. The towering 18th-century Grand Stables are the largest in Europe and a marvel of architecture—walk the perimeter at leisure and watch for local horses training on the turf, especially on weekday mornings.

The racecourse area is free to explore outside of event times, with open walkways and wide lawns that feel both noble and accessible. From certain points, you can look back on the fantasy turrets of the Château de Chantilly or pause to watch the sun set over water features and forests that frame the estate. Occasionally, equestrian clubs host free exhibitions or open mornings—look out for banners or ask at local boulangeries for what’s on.

People-watch and relax in the Senlis city park

Pétanque players

Wrap up your regional ramble with a relaxing break in Senlis—its low walls, trimmed gardens, and winding old lanes lead to a green oasis behind the cathedral. City Park (Parc écologique) is a beautifully landscaped sweep of lawns, flower beds and ancient stone features, all overlooked by medieval ramparts and a gothic spire.

Pick a riverside bench for a picnic or join locals playing chess and pétanque beneath chestnut trees. The canal path and ‘sentier des remparts’ (rampart walk) loop the old town, letting you admire ruins, hidden statues and unexpected art installations. Occasional open-air sculpture displays and low-key music events make the park feel lively, especially on Sundays.

In every season, wildflowers sprawl across the meadow-like areas and you’ll see evidence of community gardening—scarecrows, wooden bug hotels and informative signs about wildlife. Children’s play areas and exercise routes run along the edges, making this both a peaceful and energetic hub for the community. City Park in Senlis is a gently magical end to a family day out, and a model of small-town French charm.

Looking for more things to do in and around Paris? Find free things to do near the Palace of Versailles, and check out the best gratis attractions near Notre-Dame.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. 

See more, do more, and experience more with The Paris Pass® - just choose a pass to get started!

Powered by AI

This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

Build your unique Paris itinerary with our trip planner

Who's going?
Adult
1
Child (2-17)
0
How many days?
What do you want to see?

Continue reading

The glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Blog

The Louvre or Musee d'Orsay: Which is Better?

Paris is a veritable paradise for art lovers, with over 1,000 galleries throughout the city, as well as some of the most exciting contemporary street art on the planet. No surprises there really. We’re talking, after all, about the birthplace of Impressionism; a city that has produced and nurtured a quite extraordinary number of household names down the centuries – Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Manet, Modigliani and Renoir to name just a few. You can visit iconic pieces by these and other greats (*cough* da Vinci *cough*) in galleries and museums across town, chief among which, of course, are the world-renowned Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. But which is better? We took a deep dive to find out. The Louvre Name: The Louvre Museum or just plain old Louvre, it was briefly renamed Musée Napoléon during the Emperor’s reign from 1804-1815. Age: The Louvre opened in August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings. It’s housed inside the much older Louvre Palace, built in the late 12th Century. The Louvre in Brief: You’ll recognize the Louvre from the distinctive glass pyramid in its main courtyard – one of Paris’s most coveted selfie spots. Inside this former, near-1,000-year-old palace, a vast, multi-level labyrinth of galleries, corridors and stairways awaits. It’s here that you can experience some of the world’s most iconic works of art up close. We’re talking the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. And that’s just for starters. There are around 35,000-40,000 pieces on display here at any one time, running the gamut from millennia-old civilizations to Coptic art, medieval Islamic silverware and French decorative arts. In other words, pretty much the entire history of humanity’s artistic endeavors. Yes, it really is that special. The Louvre in Numbers Size: It’s the largest museum on Earth, at an epic 652,300 square feet (60,600 square meters). Stretched end to end, the many levels of the Louvre are about eight miles long! Number of artworks: 616,000 in the collection, with around 35,000 on display at one time. Visitors: 7.8 million annually, making it by some margin the most-visited art museum on the planet. Pros and Cons of The Louvre Pros View some of the most important art in the history of our fair planet, including priceless artistic antiquities and masterpieces by the likes of Caravaggio, Picasso, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. This former royal palace gives a fine insight into how the other half live. Check out Napoleon III’s personal apartments in the Richelieu wing, including ludicrously lavish state dining rooms and a gilded drawing room in the classic 18th-century rococo style. The signature 'Mont Blanc' fancy in the Louvre’s Café Richelieu Angelina is a work of art in itself, all meringue, whipped cream, chocolate shavings and pure decadent pleasure. Cons The Louvre can be a little overwhelming: it’s very, very busy and it’s very, very big. In fact it’s estimated that it would take one person around 200 days to view all the art on display. With great popularity comes very long queues. Expect to wait in line for some time before gaining entry. Oh, and watch out for pickpockets! While you’ll be keen to pay homage to the museum’s power trio of enigmatic ladies – that’s the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace to you – you won’t be alone. Be prepared to stand on tiptoes to catch a glimpse of these icons over the sea of heads. Next up... Musée d’Orsay Name: Musée d’Orsay. Age: A mere baby to the Louvre’s elder statesman, the Musée d’Orsay opened in 1986 inside the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts turn-of-the-century railway station. In Brief: Set just across the Seine from the Louvre, the relatively bitesize Musée d’Orsay still packs a quite incredible punch. That’s largely down to its superior Beaux-Arts architecture and frankly astonishing collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art; the largest collection of its kind in the world, in fact. Here’s where you can see – among other world-famous works – van Gogh’s mesmerizing Starry Night over the Rhône and Self Portrait (the greatest selfie ever?), plus Whistler’s Mother, several Monet masterpieces (including one from his Water Lilies series), and several of Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge-inspired paintings. Then there's Manet, Renoir, Degas, Pissarro, Rodin, Gaugin, Cézanne and, well, the list goes on and on. Go for the 3,000-or-so paintings and sculptures on display; stay for the fifth-floor café's huge station-clock window and its exhilarating views over the Seine to the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The Musée d’Orsay in Numbers Size: pretty massive (it used to be a train station, remember?) at 574 feet long and 246 feet wide. It also contains 12,000 tons of metal – that’s even more than the Eiffel Tower! Number of artworks: There are around 3,000 paintings, sculptures and decorative arts on display at any one time. Visitors: 3.3 million annually. Pros and Cons of The Musée d’Orsay Pros If French art and sculpture is your thing – particularly the work of the Impressionists and post-Impressionists – you’ll be in clover here, where highlights include iconic pieces by van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Renoir and Rodin. The original architecture of the Gare d’Orsay is nearly as much of a draw as the art itself. Don’t miss the original station clock which keeps time over the main gallery. The museum’s relatively modest collection makes it a great option if you simply don’t have time for The Louvre. Cons Musée d’Orsay isn’t far behind The Louvre in terms of popularity but it is much smaller. So expect significant crowds and long lines here, too. The Louvre or Musee d'Orsay: Which is Better? Put 20 historians, art critics, architects and tourism experts in a room and they’d likely be arguing about this till kingdom come. The truth is that both the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are among the planet’s undisputed art behemoths, each with its own unique selling points. For sheer range and breadth that covers the entire history of art from ancient civilizations to the 19th Century, the Louvre’s collection is near-impossible to match. A museum that can boast Hellenistic statuary, an ancient Egyptian sphinx and the Mona Lisa is not to be sniffed at. If, however, you’re an aficionado of modern French painting, sculpture and turn-of-the-century architecture and, crucially, have less time on your hands, then it’s the excellent Musée d’Orsay every time. In town for a few days? Buy a 4- or 6-day Paris Pass and you won’t have to pick a favorite. The pass gets you entry to dozens of Paris attractions – including both the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay – for one money-saving price.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Cafe Paris
Blog

Eat like a local: the 10 Best Cafés in Paris

Slow it down during your visit to Paris and eat like a local with our guide to some of the best cafés in Paris. Embrace the leisurely pace of Parisian life and discover the city's culinary gems. In a city where people-watching is an art form, finding the perfect spot to indulge in this delightful pastime is key. Our selection of the best cafés in Paris offers more than just a great cup of espresso; they provide a window into the soul of the city.   Café des Deux Moulins Made famous by the movie Amélie, this café is a popular spot with tourists and locals. With a good selection of food and drinks, a particular highlight is the Goûter d’Amélie, offering you a choice of coffee (black or with milk), hot chocolate or tea, with a crème brûlée. Because of its location in a non-touristy area of Montmartre, you can immerse yourself in French culture and, if you like, take a selfie next to a large poster of Amélie. Moncoeur Belleville (formerly Ô Paris) Le Caféothèque A favorite for locals, this little café on the Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville is famous for its impressive selection of coffee from around the world. Grab a comfy seat, choose your coffee blend, and admire Notre Dame as the sun sets. Angelina Do you love hot chocolate? Then Angelina, on Rue de Rivoli, is the place to go. Serving delicious classic tea-room food and their famous chocolat chaud, it’s not hard to see why this is one of the most famous cafés in Paris. Ob-La-Di Café Nestled in the heart of Le Marais, this retro café is tiny. With only about 15 seats, it’s also always busy. If you manage to get a place to sit, then you’re in for a treat. The café is popular with bloggers, photographers, and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris. The avocado toast is highly recommended! Les Deux Magots One of the oldest cafés in Paris, Les Deux Magots has welcomed a host of literary figures and artists over the years, from Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre to James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Bertolt Brecht, and Ernest Hemingway. Close to the Church of Saint-Germain des Près, this café has a traditional bistro ambiance. Au Thé Gourmand Away from the tourist areas, this café in the Latin Quarter is popular with a younger crowd. The homemade desserts make this place famous and, with exposed stonework, wooden beams, and huge windows, this is the perfect place to while away a few hours. Berthillon On the Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, Berthillon is the place to go for ice cream and sorbet. It's got some seating and also offers a to-go counter. Although relatively expensive, the quality of the ice cream is evident, as shown by the queues of people who wait outside every day. Café Lignac Café Lignac, nestled in the heart of Paris, offers a quintessential French dining experience. Known for its charming ambiance and exquisite cuisine, the café is a popular spot among both locals and tourists. Chef Cyril Lignac, renowned for his culinary expertise, brings a touch of modern flair to traditional French dishes, creating a menu that's both innovative and deeply rooted in French gastronomy. Café de Flore Café de Flore, located in the vibrant Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, is more than just a café; it's a historic institution. Renowned for its rich history, this café has been a favorite haunt of intellectuals and artists since the 1920s. Its classic Parisian charm is reflected in its timeless decor, with red seating, mirrored walls, and a bustling terrace. The menu offers a range of traditional French café fare, from simple breakfasts to hearty lunches, all served with the elegance and flair expected in such a legendary spot. Visiting Café de Flore is not just about enjoying a meal; it's about immersing yourself in a piece of Parisian history and experiencing the atmosphere that inspired many famous writers and thinkers. Paris' café culture is as diverse as it is delightful From the historic charm of Café de Flore to the modern elegance of Café Lignac, each spot offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Parisian life. These 10 cafés are not just about exquisite food and drink; they are about experiencing the essence of Paris itself. Whether you're seeking a classic French croissant, a rich cup of coffee, or simply a spot to watch the world go by, these cafés provide the perfect setting. So, the next time you find yourself in Paris, remember to step off the beaten path and into one of these local favorites. You'll not only enjoy a great meal, but you'll also eat like a true Parisian. Bon appétit! Experience everything Paris has to offer with The Paris Pass® Planning your Paris trip? With The Paris Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The Paris Pass® ✈️
Go City Expert
Palais Garnier
Blog

Free Paris adventures near the Paradox Museum

Discover atmospheric hidden arcades, foodie streets, hip galleries and many more free marvels near Paris’s Paradox Museum.
Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Guided Climb
Louvre Museum

Have a 5% discount, on us!

More savings? You're welcome. Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, vacation inspiration and much more.

Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off 1-Day Tour
Tours de Notre-Dame de Paris