Spending the day in Pontoise? This city preserves traces of the Neolithic past (3000 BC), Gallo-Roman (Jules César road connecting Lutes to Rouen), Medieval, Renaissance, Revolutionary, Empire and Impressionist times. It will delight history and art lovers, as well as hikers, walkers or cyclists who will stroll along the banks decorated with centuries-old trees. Families will appreciate the charm of river escapes and festive evenings at Guingut.
The city’s coat of arms proudly and clearly displays its colors: a golden fleur-de-lys, the blue of a bridge with five silver arches. The panoramic view of the Oise and its bridge offers a breath of summer tranquility from the city walls. Camille Pissarro often immortalized this bridge. A replica of the painting, now housed in the Yamagata Museum in Japan, can be seen near the Tourist Office.
Magnificent religious architecture
The exit from the station is taking place Place General de Gaulle. Two solutions. Turn right on rue Séré-Depoin, heading (400m) to the tourist office on the outskirts.oily to receive programs and brochures. The building is new, modern and the staff is very hospitable. Another option is to go and admire it St. Maclou Cathedralclearly visible (400 m) at the top of a rather steep hill and a monumental staircase.
Built around 1145, it was remodeled and blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. From there, go down the cobbled rue du Grand Godet to Notre Dame Church (1177). It also reshaped the Renaissance. Don’t miss the statue of the miraculous Virgin Mary (2 m) and the stained glass windows dating from the early 1900s. Outside, under the tall trees, the Fountain of the Virgin once supplied the tanners. Five hundred meters away, go see Fountain of love on the street of the same name. Legend has it that a young aristocrat secretly met a squirrel there. Idyll broken by the father of the girl who killed the plaintiff.
Visits. The cathedral is open from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, the church from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
A bucolic break at Carmel Church
Our favorite for sure. A heavy oak door marks the entrance to a small paved courtyard. L’Carmel Church which was consecrated there on April 12, 1610 and can be visited. At the reception there is a Carmelite who gives the keys to the church. Inside, some pictures dating back to the 17the century, and more recently (XVIIIe) from Conversion of Saint Teresa of Avila. High above, in a side aisle, a transparent urn displays the relics of Marie de L’Ancarnation, the first officially recognized French stigmata.
Twelve Carmelites still live here, the garden and monastery remain private. The vegetable garden and orchard, including centuries-old trees, provided the nuns with enough to live on. At the age of 91, Sister Marie-Jeanne de Jesus makes apple jam with orange, blackcurrant jelly, lemon marmalade, rhubarb jam with vanilla. Pitchers are for sale (€5) at reception, as are verbena infusions collected in the garden.
Visits. entrance 55, rue Pierre Butin. Morning service (08:00 Monday to Saturday, 9:00 Sunday) by prior registration (tel.: 01 30 32 35 21). Doors open after Mass and until 4:45 p.m. carmelpontoise.fr:
Limestone mines
A true Swiss cheese, the historic heart of the old town is surrounded by underground passages. The basements of the apartments are vaulted and of particular beauty. If some can only be visited during the European Heritage Days, on the other hand there is a network of underground passages that are accessible throughout the year, particularly the famous Cave of sparrows and its rib arches. This ancient network of quarries dug between 12e and XVe really impressive. The excursion organized by the tourist office (2 hours) also leads to the casemates and firing points of the old castle.
Visits. during the summer, Sundays and Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. Sessions on July 14 and August 15. €7 (adult), €5 (ages 7-12 with proof or student transit campus). Tours by booking here.
Our advice: bring good shoes and a sweater (12°C).
To finish, an impressionistic walk or cruise
For cyclists, hikers or just walkers, the banks of the Oise towards Auvergne (6 km) smell like a holiday. Leaving the head facing Oise in your right hand Hermitage district and its tangled streets marked by Pissarro, who lived in the Hermitage at 26 and 38 rue de l’Ermitage and 21, quai Eugène Turpin. Go up rue Jean-Paul Soutumier Camille Pissarro Museumwhere his two pictures are kept. The wheel in the park (Deposit of the Orse Museum), Bern on the Seine and several drawings and engravings by this artist, but also by his contemporaries.
Visits. From Wednesday to Sunday, except public holidays, from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 18:00. Temporary collection until August 21: Jean-Francois Aubertin. Full price €5, reduced price €4, free
All summer, every day (except Mondays), various themed or unguided cruises are organized, with or without a guide, some lively and festive ones are organized on a special schedule. Direction Auvers or Éragny. Prices for adults vary: 25 euros (2 hours, theme), 9 euros (without commentary), family (2 adults, 2 children) from 24 to 62 euros.
Ask about: In the intercity tourist office,
As well as : an educational farm for children was created at Château de Marcouville, 2, rue des Pâtis. Saturday and Sunday, 14-18.
Practical notebook
WHERE ARE WE GOING TO EAT LUNCH?
Rock fragment
In an extension of the walls, a terrace or a room with open stones. Fresh seasonal produce, kitchen by Melanie and Alexander, seats 44, booking strongly recommended on 01 34 43 14 05. Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday. 30, rue de la Roche.
AND FOR THE CHOICE.
Evenings at the Guinguette opposite the tourist office. Thursday and Friday, 18.00-22.30, Saturday 14.00-23.00, Sunday 14.00-19.00. Menu made with products from Vexin manufacturers.
ASK ABOUT
Intercommunity Tourist Office, Place de la Piscine. Such. 01 34 41 70 60. Registration for excursions and cruises.
Audio guide (€6) or for download.
GO
From Saint-Lazare Station, J Line, 40 minutes.
From Gare du Nord: line H, 59 minutes.
From Porte Maillot, RER C, 1H10.
From La Défense, RER A, direction Cergy. Cergy Prefecture bus stop (27 minutes). Take bus number 45 (5 minutes), Pontoise Gare stop.
Source: Le Figaro
