Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Beauvais, France

The capital of the Oise Department, Beauvais is a charming city that has endured substantial war damage but still features an array of medieval structures that command attention.

The cathedral stands out uniquely, housing the tallest choir globally while lacking a nave due to its incomplete status.

Additionally, visitors can discover a rare medieval hospital and solemn remnants of the city’s Roman walls.

The name Beauvais was synonymous with tapestries during the 17th and 18th centuries, and these exquisite pieces continue to adorn various stately homes throughout France.

Familiarize yourself with this rich legacy at the tapestry museum located just a short distance from the cathedral.

Let’s explore the best attractions in Beauvais:

1. Beauvais Cathedral

In the 1400s and 1500s, Beauvais Cathedral featured dimensions that nearly defy imagination.

The tower soared to 153 meters, designating it as the tallest structure in the world.

Unfortunately, the designs were overly ambitious, resulting in the tower’s collapse in 1573. The nave was never constructed, leaving only the choir, transept, and apse with flying buttresses that now require reinforcement for structural integrity. Nonetheless, the choir retains its status as the tallest in the world at 48 meters, showcasing exceptional gothic artistry illuminated by ethereal stained glass windows.

2. Astronomical Clock

Astronomical clocks are commonplace in northern French cathedrals; however, none are as captivating as the one located in Beauvais Cathedral.

Constructed between 1865 and 1868 by local craftsman Auguste-Lucien Vérifié, this clock conveys an impressive array of information through its 52 dials.

It illustrates the positions of planets, the time across 18 various global locations, in addition to esoteric calculations such as the golden number and epact, which would require further explanation! The clock comprises over 90,000 individual components.

Allocate some time to appreciate the medieval clock, crafted in the 1300s, which is recognized as the oldest functioning clock in Europe.

3. Mudo – Musée de l’Oise

This museum dedicated to the Oise department offers numerous highlights.

Housed within the former episcopal palace of the Bishops of Beauvais, this location was once endowed with augmented powers, and its occupants were both counts and peers of France.

The building resembles a fortress, a design choice stemming from its reinforcement with a gatehouse post the Jacquerie popular uprising in the 1300s.

The newly renovated museum opened in 2015, featuring artworks by prominent 19th-century French artists, including Sisley and Camille Corot.

The sculpture collection is highlighted by the 17th-century marble tomb of the painter Charles Fresnoy.

4. Église Saint-Étienne

Recognized as one of the most esteemed Romanesque structures north of Paris, the Church of St. Stephen dates back to the early 12th century.

Surviving elements from this time include the nave and transept, which exhibit the unembellished simplicity typical of Romanesque architecture.

In contrast, the choir, which was demolished in the 1500s, was reconstructed in the flamboyant Gothic style.

This section of the church features exquisite wooden choir stalls and stunning stained glass windows.

Legends suggest they escaped destruction during the iconoclasm of the Revolution in the 1790s due to their exceptional beauty.

5. Medieval and Roman Ruins

Several sites around the cathedral preserve remnants of the city’s extensive history.

At the end of Rue Saint-Pierre lies the Collégiale de Saint-Barthélemy, a 10th-century church that was devastated by bombing during the Second World War.

Visitors can gaze into the crypt dating back to the 900s, while all that endures of the primary structure is the 15th-century choir.

Strolling down Rue Philippe de Dreux and Rue Jean Racine reveals evocative remnants of the ramparts initially erected in the 300s.

During the Middle Ages, these walls encircled the entire episcopal city, safeguarding the cathedral, canons’ residences, and the episcopal palace, which currently houses the Musée de l’Oise.

6. Parc Marcel-Dassault

The primary green space in Beauvais, located on the northern fringes of the city, is a site that is sure to please younger visitors.

Adjacent to the park is a farm featuring sheep, ponies, chickens, geese, horses, and donkeys that eagerly come over to greet guests.

In recent years, the city has been enhancing the park by planting gardens, resulting in an English garden, a rose garden, an orchard, and a Japanese garden to explore.

7. Galerie Nationale de la Tapisserie

The tapestry factory in Beauvais was established by Louis XIV’s finance minister, Colbert, during the 1600s and was renowned as the second most prestigious after Gobelins in Paris.

However, unlike Gobelins, which primarily wove tapestries for royalty, Beauvais operated as a private business, accepting commissions from various patrons.

In the quadrangle adjacent to the cathedral is another free museum that chronicles the three-century history of tapestry weaving in Beauvais, detailing its inception while showcasing several woven examples created during different periods.

The museum also includes ceramic works, highlighting another historical craft of the city.

Although the museum is a modern construction from the 1970s, it incorporates sections of the Gallo-Roman walls and holds remnants of Roman and medieval structures within its lower levels.

8. Maladrerie Saint-Lazare

This medieval hospital, located a couple of kilometers southeast of the cathedral, remains one of the most complete examples of its kind.

The oldest structures on-site date back to the 1100s, and the complex can be easily divided into three main sections: to the north lies a barn and sheepfold, in the center rests a Romanesque chapel, and to the south remain remnants of a building that would have housed plague victims.

The site is open to the public for exploration, and visitors can also wander through the medieval garden for a refreshing experience.

The hospital has transformed into a cultural center, hosting concerts in the barn, so there may be engaging events occurring during your visit.

9. Château de Troissereux

From April to November, the couple that owns this Renaissance château opens their doors to visitors.

The estate, built during the 14th and 15th centuries from red brick and limestone, is nestled within 12 hectares of enchanting parkland.

This may be the standout feature of the property, which includes an arboretum showcasing 45 tree varieties, many of which were planted in the 1700s, as well as a 330-meter “Grand Canal” and various bird species, including herons, swans, geese, and kingfishers.

The interior underwent refurbishment in the 1800s, and guests will be shown around significant areas such as the library, dining room, private quarters, and a magnificent ceremonial staircase.

10. Le Plan d’Eau du Canada

Located on the grounds of a former quarry, this artificial lake boasts Blue Status for its water quality and amenities, making it an appealing destination during summer afternoons.

During weekends in summer, visitors can rent an array of watercraft, including pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and even catamarans.

A 3.3-kilometer perimeter trail offers distinct paths for cyclists and walkers, in addition to a beach monitored by lifeguards in July and August.

For fishing enthusiasts, there is a dedicated section on the lake’s western side, where day passes can be acquired for €8.

11. Parc Saint-Paul

Located just west of Beauvais is a medium-sized amusement park, guaranteed to captivate younger visitors for at least half a day.

Founded in 1983, Parc Saint-Paul continuously adds new attractions, boasting over 40 rides, including roller coasters, carousels, a haunted house, bumper cars, and a rocking boat.

Several roller coasters, such as Wild Train and Formula 1, are sure to impress older kids and teenagers as well.

Fatigued parents will appreciate the park’s open areas, which include lawns and woodlands adorned with benches for picnicking.

12. Local Walks and Bike Rides

Beauvais is situated in the midst of a small historical region referred to as “Pays Beauvaisis,” often described as the “poumon vert de l’Oise” (green lung of the Oise) or “l’échappée verte” (the green escape). Abundant water sources thrive in the Beauvais countryside, formed by the converging Thérain and Avelon Rivers, both tributaries of the Oise.

The picturesque landscape consists of gently rolling chalk hills and arable farms defined by hedgerows.

On foot, the local tourist office offers 15 walking paths totaling 150 kilometers, with 16 cycling routes accumulating to over 400 kilometers.

13. Gerberoy

A short drive along the idyllic country roads of Beauvaisis leads to a village recognized as one of the most beautiful in France.

Gerberoy is a quaint settlement with merely 90 residents, boasting a delightful cluster of painted half-timbered cottages constructed in the 1600s and 1700s.

During late spring and summer, the village flourishes, adorned with blooming roses and wisteria that climb the charming homes.

It was the turn-of-the-century painter Henri Le Sidaner who advocated for the village to cultivate these flowers, and his legacy is honored during the third week of June at the La Fête des Roses.

14. Château de Chantilly

A splendid day trip from Beauvais, the Château de Chantilly embodies opulence.

The original château was demolished during the revolution and subsequently reconstructed in a grand neo-Renaissance style during the 19th century.

The lavish interiors are breathtaking, adorned with gilded panels, coffered ceilings, marble fireplaces, and furnishings that span centuries.

Visitors may also become absorbed by the Musée Condé, showcasing an impressive collection of French and Italian paintings, including works by Raphael, Delacroix, and Poussin.

The museum’s library is equally astonishing, housing 1,500 medieval manuscripts.

15. Alternative Day-Trips

In close proximity, approximately one hour away, are the cities of Amiens to the north and Compiègne, located 50 kilometers to the east.

Compiègne has historically been a favored location for royalty and emperors; the Château de Compiègne served as a royal residence since the 1300s and later became a prestigious venue for Napoleon III to hold lavish receptions for significant guests in the mid-19th century.

Similarly, Amiens, like Beauvais, is home to a cathedral of immense proportions, noted for having the largest interior volume of any cathedral in France.

This city is also defined by water, interlaced with canals that contribute to a charming district characterized by delightful waterside market gardens known as the Hortillonages.