Pierrelaye: Culture, Forest and Trails

Pierrelaye offers several concrete points of interest for a stay: a protected statue in the church, cultural events, sports activities and the Forêt de Maubuisson forest project. The themes range from a single work in the church to a planned network of trails for an entire region.

Culture, History and Events

The polychrome wooden statue “Christ en croix” is in the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. It stands above the triumphal arch at the entrance to the choir and has been listed as a protected object since 3 July 1989. Its position in the church and its painted colours are specific features of the work.

The birch forests are also part of the area’s history: they historically provided the basis for a broom-making craft.

The media library in Pierrelaye offers seasonal storytelling events, theatre, conferences, music events, exhibitions, literary gatherings, and practical, creative and scientific workshops. The programme therefore covers a range of cultural formats. Membership is free. Check the registration requirements in advance. For individual events, be sure to check the current schedule.

Ciné Pierrelaye takes place once a month on Fridays, with two screenings: at 6:30 p.m. for young audiences and at 9:00 p.m. for general audiences. Cabaret Humour is regularly held once a month on Saturdays at La Mezzanine, featuring two performers. Cinema and cabaret therefore differ both in the day of the week and in format. Check the dates and programme before planning your stay around them.

Forêt de Maubuisson: Trails and Access

The Forêt de Maubuisson project provides an area for walks and exploration. Planting extends across seven municipalities: Bessancourt, Frépillon, Herblay-sur-Seine, Méry-sur-Oise, Pierrelaye, Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône and Taverny. Pierrelaye is thus part of an initiative that extends beyond the municipality.

The Plaine de Pierrelaye-Bessancourt forest project includes a 90-kilometre network of trails for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. As part of the project, 60 kilometres of existing trails are to be improved. The figures therefore refer, on the one hand, to the planned total length and, on the other, to a portion of the existing trail network that is to be upgraded. In 2025, more than six kilometres of trails were also created as part of the Forêt de Maubuisson project.

The Plaine de Pierrelaye-Bessancourt and the emerging forest remain accessible during construction and growth phases. Existing trails remain open to the public; however, individual sections may be closed temporarily to protect new plantings. If you plan to use a particular section, check the latest notices about affected trails before your visit.

Sport, Exercise and Getting There

Escapade offers hikes of around 12 kilometres on Sundays and shorter outings during the week. The formats therefore differ both by day of the week and by stated distance; check the routes and meeting points in advance. CSP VTT offers adults cross-country mountain biking as a recreational and competitive sport. You should also clarify the arrangements for taking part before your visit.

At the Parc des Sports, CSP Tennis offers tennis for recreation or competition on six courts, three of which are covered. If you plan to take advantage of this offering, check court availability and booking arrangements in advance.

Pierrelaye is accessible via the A15 motorway and the RER C and Line H rail services. Check current route and service details before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Argenteuil, Le Plessis-Luzarches, Gouzangrez, Villers-En-Arthies, Belloy-En-France, Herblay, Saint-Brice-Sous-Forêt, Le Thillay.

For the wider travel overview: Val-D'oise.