Regional Natural Park of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse

The Haute Vallée de Chevreuse is a natural open-air heritage museum southwest of Paris in an area protected from industrial development.

Many historic sites nestle discreetly between its trees, waiting to be uncovered like hidden treasure. Go up to the medieval castle of La Madeleine to take in the view across the park. Admire the castles of Breteuil, Courson, Saint-Jean de Beauregard and Rambouillet, and explore their remarkable gardens. Other testaments to the region’s history are the abbeys of Vaux-de-Cernay and Port-Royal des Champs – beautiful romantic settings surrounded by lush greenery.

Lovers of natural landscapes can lose themselves amid the real-life art created by the vast woods and forests, valleys, meadows and rivers. The local hiking trails afford the possibility of long countryside walks among the region’s abundant plant and animal life. The roads and paths roll with the landscape, leading you to one tiny idyllic paradise and charming, dream-like village after another.

And for leisure lovers, there are nature pursuits galore. With road cycling and mountain biking, horse riding, pond swimming and walks among the trees at Espace Rambouillet all on offer, you can try your hand at whatever activity you choose.

Finish off your visit by dropping in on a local craft producer – maybe to top up with some honey from one of the area’s beekeepers.
It always feels good to get back to nature.

Good plan in good weather: with Lebonpicnic.com, enjoy a delicious panier repas concocted by local artisans and producers to discover the flavors of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse. Place your order online until 6pm the day before your visit and pick it up at Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, Bullion or Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines. All you have to do is enjoy salted and sweet delicacies in an enchanting natural setting.

Discover the Regional Natural Park of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse through one of the treasure hunts in the Paris Region Adventures application specially designed for families and downloadable free of charge.