Camping Essonne

Things to do when camping in Essonne

A camping holiday in Essonne advocates exciting experiences in the outdoors as well as insightful day trips into the department’s villages and towns. Holidaymakers can enjoy a diverse stay here, with the option to make a couple of trips into the heart of Paris that lies a short distance to the north.

The colourful landscapes of Essonne are decorated with blue rivers and lakes, green forests and meadows, and flowering gardens. It’s the ideal destination for nature lovers. A former royal hunting ground, Sénart Forest is shared with the neighbouring department of Seine-et-Marne and features oak, birch and chestnut trees. The best way to discover the park, and it’s abundance of wildlife, is by enjoying a stroll, bicycle ride or horse riding excursion. Visitors to the park can learn more about its history by spending some time at the Sénart Pheasantry, an information centre located in the forest glade at Étiolles.

A diverse array of landscapes vies for the attention of holidaymakers in the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park, a blissfully bucolic area set between the forest massifs of Fontainebleau and Rambouillet. A wide range of al fresco activities is offered in the park, where visitors can explore agricultural plains, rivers, forests, woodland glades and meadows.

It’s clear to see that Essonne has a rich natural heritage, but we should also take time to mention the wealth of architectural heritage in the department. There are many notable buildings of architectural significance, such as Courances Castle with its lovely Renaissance water garden. This horticultural haven features immaculately tended gardens, lawns and hedges, as well as water features, ponds and fountains.

Courances Castle is just one examples of the splendid buildings in Essonne that are stepped in history. Other examples worth discovering include the Departmental Domain of Chamarande, Le Marais Castle and the Domain of Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard.

While the castles and age-old buildings of the department are the best place to see how royalty once lived, you’ll discover the authentic life style of the locals on display in Essonne’s towns and villages. We’d recommend enjoying day trips to the towns of Étampes, Milly-la-Forêt and Dourdan.

If you plan to take a holiday in Essonne, it’s worth visiting Paris if you have your own transport. Get up early and head into the city of lights to enjoy a full day of sightseeing, at top attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe. D’Orsay museum, Sacré-Cœur and Champs-Élysées.