Discover Magnanville: mural, château and Bois des Terriers

Highlights for a stay in Magnanville include the nature-inspired mural “La Route du Bouleau,” the Ancien Château de Magnanville, the Maison bourgeoise du chateau and the Bois des Terriers. There are also orienteering and horseback riding activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Magnanville, these themes can help you decide whether the destination fits your plans. When choosing, consider whether you are more interested in art and architecture, landscapes or activities with horses.

Art and architectural history

“La Route du Bouleau” was created in Magnanville in 2021 as a mural as part of the “Un Mur, Une Oeuvre” program, organized by the Communauté urbaine Grand Paris Seine & Oise and the town of Magnanville. Inspired by nature and featuring botanical designs, the work celebrates life, the energy of action and the spirit of sharing. Participants and the team from the Médiathèque Le Grenier des Arts took part in its creation. Its nature motif, artistic concept and local context make the mural a cultural attraction in its own right.

The Ancien Château de Magnanville, Fondation Léopold Bellan, is a château at 1 Rue de la Ferme and has local “Remarquable” protected status. The Maison bourgeoise du chateau is part of the château estate and has notable architectural qualities due to its form and architectural style. This brings two aspects together: the château’s protected status and the architecture of the house on the estate. If you also choose destinations for their buildings and architecture, this part of Magnanville offers a specific cultural point of interest.

The landscape also includes a designed ensemble featuring a pond surrounded by a stone wall. The pond is linked to the commune’s agricultural past. Here, a designed landscape feature meets a connection to former agricultural life. This broadens the cultural themes beyond individual buildings and the mural, offering another perspective on Magnanville.

Landscape and activities

The 23-hectare Bois des Terriers offers views of the Seine Valley and rural landscapes. Its wooded paths are lined with oak, maple, ash and hornbeam trees. The views and the tree species along the paths give you two specific points of interest for a nature-focused stay. In contrast to the buildings and mural, the forest and views shape the landscape here.

An orienteering course in the Bois des Terriers starts from the car park at the corner of Rue de Fontenay and Avenue des Érables in Magnanville. If you plan to take part, check the local signage before setting out. This named starting point makes orienteering a specific part of your plans alongside the Bois’s landscape.

Horseback riding activities are also available in Magnanville. The Centre Equestre de Magnanville welcomes riders of all ages, from beginners to competition riders, for horseback riding. The Ecurie de Magnanville offers baby pony lessons and riding activities with ponies and horses; its offerings also include vaulting, dressage and ethology. These terms refer to different forms of equestrian activity: vaulting combines gymnastic exercises with a horse, dressage focuses on controlled movements, and ethology deals with horse behaviour. You can therefore include these activities as a separate focus when considering Magnanville.

Discover more destinations: Croissy-Sur-Seine, Le Perray-En-Yvelines, Montfort-Lʼamaury, Sonchamp, Andrésy, St. Arnoult-En-Yvelines, Gambais, Rochefort-En-Yvelines.

For the broader travel guide: Yvelines.