Saint-Ouen-Lʼaumône: Art, History and Green Spaces

Saint-Ouen-Lʼaumône brings together contemporary art, architectural history and green spaces. This raises a clear question when planning your trip: should you focus on cultural activities and historic buildings, or on parks, ponds and outdoor pursuits? When choosing a hotel, this focus can help you tailor your stay to your interests.

Art and Architectural History

The Abbaye de Maubuisson is a former Cistercian abbey and is now a contemporary art centre. Its year-round cultural programme includes guided tours, workshops and meetings with artists. Individual activities may vary; if a particular offering is important to your trip, check the current programme.

The Église Saint-Ouen was built between the 12th and 19th centuries and has been listed as a historic monument since 16 June 1926. The Tour des Bourseaux, also known as the Tour d’Enceinte, is the only surviving tower of the enclosure that surrounded the abbey. Le Ponceau is a small covered bridge associated with this former enclosure.

The Pigeonnier, also called the Colombier, dates from the second half of the 17th century and could accommodate 1,800 pairs of pigeons. La Grange aux dîmes is an annex of the abbey and is notable for its roof structure. Following its renovation at the end of the 20th century, it has been used mainly for events. Check current events separately.

Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities

The Parc de l’Abbaye de Maubuisson features wide lawns and mature plane trees, which have been awarded the “arbres remarquables de France” designation. The park combines remarkable ecological diversity with vegetation, mineral features and an old hydraulic network. The Jardin des Possibles in Maubuisson offers gardening workshops and activities to discover the local flora and fauna; workshop dates may vary.

The Parc Le Nôtre is designed for walks and children’s games. The Coulée verte is a continuous, five-kilometre walking path from Quai du Halage to Bassin Blanche de Castille. As signage and the route may change, check both before setting out. At Bassin Blanche de Castille, a promenade connects with the Coulée verte near Liesse.

The Étangs de Maubuisson comprise two ponds, each covering 4,500 m², used for fishing and walking. Access hours may change; check them before your visit. The Golf urbain is a compact 9-hole course in an 8-hectare wooded park rich in flowers. If you plan to play, check current access arrangements. The Parc de la mairie covers 3.8 hectares and has several centuries-old trees, including a plane tree and a horse chestnut classified as notable trees.

Rail Connections and Railway Architecture

Saint-Ouen l’Aumône Centre station is served by Transilien-SNCF line H and RER line C. There is a stop at Épluches on line H’s Pontoise–Creil section. Check current services before travelling.

Railway history is also part of the local landscape: Épluches station’s passenger building retains the original appearance of its 1846 construction. The station is a surviving example of 19th-century railway architecture built by the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Nord.

Discover more destinations: Deuil-la-Barre, Cormeilles-En-Parisis, Saint-Cyr-en-Arthies, Ennery, Franconville, Aincourt, Bray-Et-Lû, Villers-En-Arthies.

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