Discover Jaux: Churches, Hiking Trails and Leisure

Jaux brings together church architecture, hiking trails and leisure activities. You can tailor your stay to focus on architectural history, outdoor activities or leisure pursuits.

Church architecture in Jaux

The Church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul in Jaux was built in its oldest sections in the 12th century and partially rebuilt in the 16th century. Its distinctive features include a rare rood beam from the late 16th or early 17th century, with polychrome sculptures of Christ and the Apostles. The layout is unusual too: the three-bay hall choir is considerably larger than the nave. This brings together different architectural details in one building: early structural elements, a later-dated furnishing and the difference in size between the choir and the nave. If you plan to visit the church, check the latest visitor information beforehand.

The chapel and former activities

The Chapelle de Boucquy was built in the 12th century by religious orders from Saint-Corneille. Historically, it was a frequently visited pilgrimage site. It still stands, but is no longer used for its original purpose and now serves as an agricultural shed. Its construction history and current use should therefore be clearly distinguished. Winegrowing is also part of the area’s earlier history: texts from 1218 and 1340 mention winegrowing on the hills above Jaux and around Venette; wine production was one of the commune’s former activities.

Hiking routes and landscapes

The hiking trails in Jaux pass through forests, along the Oise River, over Mont Saint-Pierre, through Port Varenne and through the three hamlets of Dizocourt, Les Tartres and Varanval. The routes are 6 to 10 km long, start at the tennis courts near the sports hall and can be downloaded via QR code. The distance range helps you gauge the length of a hike; the starting point and named landscapes offer further guidance. Check route information and trail conditions before setting out.

One hike with its own distinctive landscape is “Autour de Jaux”: it runs along the Oise Valley through the rolling landscapes of the Bois du Bocquet and the hamlet of Varanval. When choosing a route, you can consider two questions separately: the distances and starting point provide guidance on the municipal hiking trails, while the Oise Valley, Bois du Bocquet and Varanval describe the landscape of “Autour de Jaux”.

Cinema and leisure activities

The Le Majestic multiplex cinema is located in the Jacques Tati leisure area. At Place Jacques Tati, Speedpark Jaux–Compiègne offers karting, bowling and laser activities. There are different kinds of leisure activities to choose from: a trip to the cinema or activities such as karting, bowling and laser games. If these activities are important to your plans, check the current cinema listings and operating details beforehand.

Getting there by car

Jaux is connected to the A1 (Paris–Lille) via the Compiègne Nord and Compiègne Sud junctions, about 10 km away. If you are travelling by car, you can include either junction in your plans; journey times and traffic conditions vary. Information about the area’s architectural history, hikes and leisure activities can help you decide what to focus on during your stay in Jaux.

Discover more destinations: Le Mesnil-En-Thelle, Croutoy, Eragny-Sur-Epte, Saint-Paul, Paillart, Verneuil-en-Halatte, Frétoy-Le-Château, Thourotte

Back to the regional travel overview: Oise.