An old town

The town of Beauvais or « Caesaromagus » (Cesar’s market) was an important Gallo-Roman town until the middle of the 3rd Century after J-C. In the 4th Century, 10 meters high ramparts were built to fortify the town. Currently one can still see some of them in the streets: Jean Racine, Philippe de Dreux. In order to reinforce the ramparts, a tower was added: the Tour Boileau. The remains can still be seen on the Saint Jean Street.

From the 11th century, the bishop obtained the military and civilian office of Beauvais which brought a proliferation of canonial houses, a cloister and a Church. The Carolingian Church and which dated back to the 10th century towards the end of the 16th century, Beauvais gained fame for its textile industry. Threatened by the assault of Charles le Téméraire, Beauvais was rescued in 1472 by Jeanne Hachette, heroine of the town. Her statue is on the Town Hall square and each year a festival is held in her humour.

Beauvais' Historical Munument

The cathedral and its clocks

Saint-Etienne’s Church

Saint-Etienne’s Church which was the Church of the town is much smaller than the Cathedral, the bishop’s Church. From a gallery erected outside the Church which no longer present, the newly elected Mayor was sworn in before his fellow citizens. On top of his head, there was a « Fortune Wheel » (rose-window), that one can still admire, and which reminded him that anyone elevated would innavigable come down again. The inside of the Church reveals stand glass windsurf (16th C). Among these, Jesse Tree, painted by Engrand Le Prince can be admired.

Open everyday - Free
Phone : 03 44 48 11 60

Marissel’s Church

Classified historical monument, the Church of the former village of Marissel, independant from Beauvais until 1943,was built on a site previously occupied by an ancien monument. Construction, which took place in stages between the 11th and the 16th centuries, is very complex : from the square bell tower (11th C) t the southern facade (16th C) copied from the cathedral of Beauvais.

Not to be missed: the stand glass Windows from the 11th century (the life of Saint Claude), the altar piece of the passion (from Bracheux Church and currently held in trust at St Pierre Cathedral) and the organ case from the end of the 18th century.

Open every friday from 9.30 to 11;30am - Free
Phone : 03 44 05 46 43 / 03 44 45 21 99 / 06 81 52 04 38

National Gallery and Manufacture of Tapestry

For more than three centuries, the name of Beauvais was linked to the history of the French tapestry industry. The Royal Manufacture was founded by Louis the 14th on request of Colbert in 1664 and then made national property under the Napoleon era. In 1989 it was with great pleasure that the inhabitants of Beauvais welcomed the return of the National Manufacture of Tapestry to their city. In their workrooms, the weavers perpetuate the quality of the weaving, which was the glory of the Manufacture. The national Gallery of Tapestries presents temporary exhibitions showing a wide range of Mobilier National collections.

The Manufacture and the Gallery are two complementary sites to understand the Art of Tapestry.

National Gallery : Open everyday (close monday)
Phone : 03 44 15 39 10

Manufacture : Open tuesday, Wednesday, thirsday
Phone : 03 44 14 41 90

Région of Oise’ Museum

The Museum is situated in the old Bishop’s Palace next to the Cathedral. The building is a classified historical monument and its architecture is unique. The entrance is through a 14th Century gatehouse, leading into the Renaissance Palace.

Major restoration work is being carried out at the moment. During the work a collection of representative works are on display and open to the public. You can start your visit on the ground floor, with its large selection of medieval sculptures and antiques leading to a display showing works by Gallic warrior of St Maur, to paintings by Huet, Corot and Maurice Denis.

You can see a dining room in “Art Nouveau” style by the artist Gustave Serrurier-Bovy, not forgetting Ceramics by Delaherche. With its unique setting and varied collections the Oise Museum is an interesting and informative way to spend a day.

The museum is open everyday except tuesday and certain bank holidays (1st January, easter monday, 1st may, monday of the Pentecost week-end, and Christmas day)
Phone : 03 44 11 43 83

Greber’s House

Charles Greber who came from Beauvais was renowned for his ceramics. In 1911 he decorated his house with tiles and ceramics, the façade then became a fabulous catalogue of his works.

The overall decoration in stoneware bas-relief portrays turner at work. The roof is made up of a mosaic of light blue ad yellow glazed tiles. You can also see salamanders depicted in the overall design, the latter now adopted by Beauvais as a tourist guide symbol.

You can see it from the outside
Phone : 03 44 45 88 10

The lake of Canada

With the lake of Canada, Beauvais offers people a large space for leisure and nature. As soon as the sunny days arrive, you can take advantage of the swimming area and of the many water activities which are suggested: optimist, storm sail, canoe, sailboard, pedalo, small boat…

Thanks to the recent suppression of the sea wall, the lake covers an area of thirty ha, and is surrounded by paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

In the Beauvaisis

The mountain bike centre “Pays du Beauvaisis”

The “Centre de Randonnées “Pays du Beauvaisis”” propose to you more than 500 kilometres of foot and bike paths marked out with beacons. Through those 29 varied paths, we’re inviting you to discover the wealth of the Beauvaisis’ countryside. The plans are available at the tourism’s office.

All you need to have a good day will be there : parking, toilets, shower, washing area and a repair shop for your bike…A mountain bike’s location and a sheltering (in a gite de séjour) are also possible.

At last, if you want to be guided in the countryside or helped in the organisation of your stays, your assistants are here! Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Phone : 03 44 79 07 33

The château de Troissereux and its gardens

Built on piles in the Thérain Valley, the château was devastated during the hundred years war. The brick and stone Renaissance château which can be seen today was restored in the 15th century and reshaped in the 16th century. Parts of its medieval origin are still visible today. The neoclassical interior decoration dates from 1791. Among the lord of Troissereux, was Jean of Marivaux, Governor of Paris in the 16th century, the baron of Corberon, diplomat at the court of Russia in the 18th.

The gardens of Troissereux are a rare example of old French landscaped gardens. One can admire centennial, trees : oriental plane-trees, limetrees, oaks, ash-trees, bald cypresses, etc…

They house a wide range of wild and tame birds mixed together in a collection. The grand canal offers a majestic perspective to the château.

Open everyday
Phone : 03 44 79 00 00

Warluis’ aircraft museum

3 kilometres from Beauvais on the National 1, the aircraft museum is situated in a pleasant green site. You can see several historical Aircraft, a large selection of aviation pieces (over 900), a fully restored aircraft engine, a mirage III and a C47 propeller. 1600 photographs, documents, 45 display cases, and a 180 square metres of display will help your imagination take to the air.

You can visit the museum every day from 2pm to 6 pm except on Fridays.

The Saint Felix mill museum

The museum is stup in a former brushmaking factory (1890-1979). All the factory’s equipment is preserved, much of which dates back to the turn of the century. The brushmaking factory was established in a former mill. The mill’s paddle wheel provides enough energy to run the factory’s machines by way of a driving system composed of belts and pulleys. You will see : the manufacture of wooden brushes and the raw materials used in the brushmaking-craft. And also : the wheel and brushmaking machinery in operation.

You can visit the museum every day from 2.30pm to 6.30 pm from 1st of april to 31st of October except on Tuesdays.

The mother of pearl museum

The museum is set up in a factory erected in 1872 formerly specialized in bone and mother of pearl carving. Since the 17th century Méru has been the “capital” of mother-of-pearl industry. Buttons, dices, dominos, fans…were made in workshops established in the area. Raw materials such as ivory, horn, tortoiseshell, ebony were used for manufacturing.

The museum offers :

the manufacture of mother-of-pearlbuttons
a steam engine in operation
the manufacture of dominos
an exhibition of fans and luxury items
a slide show and an interactive CD.

Méru is located 25kms south of Beauvais.
You can visit the museum every day from 2.30pm to 6.30 except on Tuesdays
Phone : 03 44 22 61 74

Medieval village of Gerberoy

Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gerberoy was granted it’s town charter in 1202 by Philippe Auguste. Situated between Normandie and Picardie, on a hill of 188 meters high, the town has been besieged many times between 1079 and 1437. Each time the town was rebuilt and has maintained all its original authenticity.

The 17th and 18th Century houses built in brick, flint, daub and wattle serve to offset the beautiful collegiate church, and the ruins of the original fortress, the latter transformed into an Italian style garden by the painter Le Sidaner.

The 18th century brick town hall, with its covered market, houses on the first floor a small museum containing local archives, examples of local “Beauvaisian pottery”, paintings and some artefacts of the painter Henri le Sidaner (1862- 1939).

Free access to the village everyday
You can visit the museum in June, July and August from 2.30pm to 6.30 except on Tuesdays
Phone : 03 44 46 32 20 (Tourism Office)

St Paul Amusement Park

At the edge of Beauvais, Parc Saint Paul is the amusement park for all families. For a unique entrance fare, you will enjoy 15 ha of land and stretches of water. More than 25 fairgrounds and attractions are offered to you : big wheel, roudabout from 1900, crazy house, wild train, dinospalsh, etc…And for thrill-seekers, come and test the “looping” (roller coaster with a loop) and the ghost train.

3 restaurants and free access to the pic-nic areas with barbecue. Free car park, Parc Saint Paul is the ideal place to spend a day with its family.

You can go to the park every day from 10am to 6pm, from 5th april to 28th september
Phone : 03 44 82 20 16

Beauvais Tourism Office

On Monday : from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm
Tuesday to Friday : from 9.30am to 6.30pm
Saturday : from 10am to 6pm
Sunday and bank holidays : call 03 44 15 30 30

1 Street Beauregard – BP 537 – 60 005 Beauvais cedex - France