Val-d'Oise in a nutshell
Val-d'Oise is département 95, just north of Paris. Most visitors come for Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh moved into the Auberge Ravoux on 20 May 1890 and where he is buried next to his brother Theo. Others come for Royaumont Abbey, the château of La Roche-Guyon on the Seine, the Château d'Écouen with its Renaissance museum, the lake at Enghien-les-Bains and the villages of the Vexin français. Parc Astérix lies just across the border: it is in Plailly, in the Oise département.
This guide covers things to do, tours, getting there from Paris and where to stay. It is an independent site, not run by the département, Val d'Oise Tourisme, any town, museum or tour company. Prices are in euros, as listed in 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Val-d'Oise tours
Auvers by bus from Paris, on its own or with Giverny, and Parc Astérix just across the border.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day trip by bus to Giverny and Auvers
Bus from Paris and a self-guided visit with English-speaking support. Entry to Van Gogh's house and to Monet's house and gardens is included. Meals and personal expenses are extra.
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Half-day bus trip to Auvers-sur-Oise
Bus from Paris and a self-guided visit with stops at the town hall, the Auberge Ravoux, the church and Van Gogh's grave, plus about three hours of free time. Lunch is extra.
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Parc Astérix day ticket
Day entry to the park in Plailly, just outside Val-d'Oise, with six zones, over 50 rides and shows. Parking (€25 a day) is not included.
Check availability →Val-d'Oise tours and day trips
Guided visits, day trips from Paris and tickets, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Val-d'Oise trip
Pick a page by what you want to see.
Things to do in Val-d'Oise
Fifteen ideas, from Van Gogh's room to the museums of the Vexin.
Tours and guided visits
On-site visits, day trips from Paris and independent trips compared.
Auvers-sur-Oise
The château, Dr. Gachet's house, Daubigny's studio and the Absinthe museum.
In Van Gogh's footsteps
The room at the Auberge Ravoux, the church and the graves of Vincent and Theo.
Royaumont Abbey
Gardens, prices, hours and the shuttle from Luzarches station.
La Roche-Guyon
The château, the fruit and vegetable garden and the village on the Seine.
Château d'Écouen
The national Renaissance museum, its hours and the current building work.
Enghien-les-Bains
The lake, the thermal baths, the spa and the casino, 15 minutes from Paris-Nord.
The Vexin français
Regional nature park, museums, Villarceaux and walking.
L'Isle-Adam
The municipal beach, the forest and the banks of the Oise.
Parc Astérix
In Plailly, Oise: tickets and getting there from Paris and Roissy.
Getting there from Paris
Lines H, J, C, A and D, 2026 fares and driving routes.
Where to stay
Options in Auvers, Ennery, Royaumont and beyond.
The main stops: price and access
2026 entry prices and the connection from Paris for the main sites.
| Place | 2026 entry price | From Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Château d'Auvers | €12 | Line H from Paris-Nord via Valmondois, or line J or RER C to Pontoise and then line H |
| Van Gogh's room (Auberge Ravoux) | €10 | Same as for Auvers |
| Royaumont Abbey | €11 | Line H to Luzarches, then a reserved shuttle of about 8 minutes |
| Château de La Roche-Guyon | €9.50 | Paris-Saint-Lazare to Mantes-la-Jolie, then bus 1119 |
| Château d'Écouen (Renaissance museum) | €6 (€8 normally) | Line H to Écouen-Ézanville, about 25 minutes, then bus 269 |
| Lake at Enghien-les-Bains | Pedal boats from €25 an hour | Line H, about 15 minutes from Paris-Nord |
| Musée du Vexin français, Théméricourt | €4 | – |
| Municipal beach of L'Isle-Adam | €21 a day (2026 season over) | L'Isle-Adam-Parmain station, on the line H network |
Travel times are rough guides. Check the timetable before you go. The getting there page covers connections and fares in detail.
What to know in October 2026
Where older guides are out of date.
No original Van Goghs at the Château d'Auvers
The exhibition "Van Gogh influenceur, héritages en mouvement" runs from 18 April 2026 to 3 January 2027. It shows no original works by Van Gogh.
Auvers-sur-Oise →Écouen: €6 and some closed rooms
Because of facade work, entry is €6 instead of €8. The temporary entrance is behind the château, and some rooms cannot be visited.
Château d'Écouen →Enghien: the Grand Hôtel Barrière is closed
It has not taken overnight guests since 20 July 2026, and a reopening is announced for 2028. The spa and the casino stay open, according to the operator.
Where to stay →New transit fares
The Métro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 since 1 January 2026. Old paper t+ tickets can be used until 14 December 2026 and exchanged until 14 January 2027.
Getting there →L'Isle-Adam: a beach with pools
The "plage" is a leisure area with pools on the bank of the Oise, not permission to swim in the river. The 2026 season ended on 31 August.
L'Isle-Adam →Royaumont: €11 or €10?
The abbey's price page lists €11 for a self-guided visit, while its FAQ still says €10. Plan for €11.
Royaumont →Val-d'Oise: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Val-d'Oise?
There is no single best month. At the Roissy weather station, Météo-France averages for 1991 to 2020 show highs of 25.1°C (77°F) in July and August and 16.2°C (61°F) in October, and April is the driest month at 47.8 mm. Several sites are seasonal, though: Van Gogh's room is open until 22 November 2026, La Roche-Guyon from 1 April to 1 November and then from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, and the L'Isle-Adam beach only in summer.
How do I get to Val-d'Oise from Paris?
By train, mostly on line H from Paris-Nord: to Auvers-sur-Oise (via Valmondois), Écouen-Ézanville, Enghien-les-Bains and Luzarches for Royaumont. For La Roche-Guyon, take a train from Paris-Saint-Lazare to Mantes-la-Jolie and then bus 1119. See the getting there page.
Can I see several sites in one day?
They are separate places with no shared ticket. One main site a day is a good pace, or two in Auvers, for example Van Gogh's room and the château. The Pass des 5 lieux covers the Château d'Auvers, Dr. Gachet's house, the archaeological museum, the tool museum and Maubuisson Abbey for €30 solo, €45 for two or €68 for a family (2026). Royaumont, the Auberge Ravoux and Écouen are not part of it.
Is Parc Astérix in Val-d'Oise?
No. It is in Plailly (60128), in the Oise département, about 35 km north of Paris according to the park. The Parc Astérix page explains how to get there from Paris and Roissy.
Do I need to book ahead?
It depends on the place. At the Château d'Auvers, booking online is strongly recommended, because only a reserved time slot guarantees entry. Online tickets for Dr. Gachet's house are for a set time slot. At Royaumont you can buy a self-guided ticket at the desk, though booking online is recommended. At the Château d'Écouen, individual visitors do not need to book.
Is this the official Val-d'Oise website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the département, Val d'Oise Tourisme, any town, museum, Parc Astérix, accommodation provider or tour operator.