Peaceful Yvelines
10 charming Yvelines villages
Too little is known about the Yvelines’ countryside and nature. A rural area on the outskirts of Paris where it's great to stroll through the fields and meet local producers on their farms to enjoy healthy, seasonal produce. This enchanting countryside also boasts an abundance of charming villages! From artists' villages to some of the most beautiful villages in France, here's a selection of must-see destinations, from flower-filled villages to cobbled ones!
Houdan, Normandy in Yvelines
A quiet, rural town, Houdan boasts a beautiful medieval centre with half-timbered houses built around its 12th-century keep… Amaury de Monfort is responsible for the imposing tower, the last vestige of Houdan castle and the ramparts built by the lords of Monfort. From its 25 m height, the view over the surrounding countryside is breathtaking.
Access :
Houdan station – Line N Find the best route for your journey
Montfort l’Amaury, a cinematic landscape
Clinging to the hillside, overlooked by the ruins of the Duchess Anne of Brittany’s castle, the village of Monfort l’Amaury features narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses in a setting made famous by Henri-Georges Clouzot in Le Corbeau… From the remains of Anne’s keep, the view stretches from the village to the edge of the Rambouillet forest. In Montfort l’Amaury take a stroll around the ramparts, visit the Maurice Ravel House Museum and even its cemetery, one of the most curious in France. And last but not least: Montfort l’Amaury was selected to represent the Paris Region in the competition “Le Village préféré des Français 2020”.
Access :
Montfort-l’Amaury Méré station – Line N + Bus 17 Find the best route for your journey
Montchauvet, a medieval delight
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, a change of scenery and natural surroundings… Open your eyes wide and we’ll take you on a trip to the heart of the Yvelines. The village of Montchauvet is a little gem nestled in the heart of the superb Vaucouleurs valley, just 40 minutes from the Château de Versailles. The village of Montchauvet was chosen to represent the Paris Region in the sixth edition of the “Le Village préféré des Français” TV show in 2017.
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Chevreuse, pearl of the eponymous valley
Bucolic Chevreuse? That’s an understatement. Discover the village along the water’s edge, along the path of little bridges and washhouses. You can also discover it through the verses of Racine and the Jean Racine path that leads straight to the Château de la Madeleine. Paris is only 45 minutes by RER? No way!
Access :
RER B Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse + Bus 39-17
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Rochefort-en-Yvelines, the moors at the gateway to Paris
Do you like narrow, winding streets? Rochefort-en-Yvelines is the place to go. A stone staircase leads straight up to the 12th-century church. From there, spread your arms wide and embrace the whole valley. It’s so good to see the world from above, thanks to its rugged terrain, and so colourful, thanks to its white and sandy soil, conducive to the emergence of heather moors!
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Thoiry, a welcoming village
Thoiry is a small rural village on the edge of the Paris Region, with around 500 families living in proximity to its town hall and church. The beauty of the Thoiry site is immediately apparent to the visitor, with the development of the village on a small hillside on the edge of the woods. The 12th-century church of Saint-Martin, the 16th-century château and a modern multi-purpose village hall provide the perfect setting for popular cultural events, including theatrical evenings, concerts, dances, exhibitions and more.
Access :
TER to Mantes + Bus 78 Express
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Les Mesnuls, an authentic village
Situated on the edge of the Rambouillet forest, this village boasts a 13th-century Renaissance château, a 15th-century church and a paved driveway lined with lime trees, which blaze with colour in autumn and exhale a thousand fragrances in spring.
Access :
RER C direction Saint-Quentin + Bus 5
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Crespières, a charming village
A vast rural community, Crespières has just over 1,600 inhabitants. This charming little village boasts a 12th-century church and a 19th-century wash-house.
Access :
Access by public transport: RER A + Line L + Bus 76
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Cernay-la-ville, a journey through time
The village of Cernay-la-Ville is nestled in the Upper Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park. If you have time, make a detour for brunch or an overnight stay at the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay hotel, which overlooks almost 8 centuries of history. Surrounded by an exceptional natural setting, the architecture itself seems to dominate the surrounding area.
Access :
RER B + Bus 39-303
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Moisson and its rural setting
Moisson is a pretty village nestled in a peaceful loop of the River Seine, and enjoys a privileged location for outdoor activities. With its 120-hectare lake in an exceptional 350-hectare setting, the Boucles de Seine leisure island is the ideal place for swimming, sailing, fishing or climbing the zip lines on the tree-to-tree rope course. Finally, the Musée de la Ballonnière and the 1947 Jamboree retrace the two major international events that took place in Moisson in the 20th century.
Access :
Ligne J + Bus 1
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