Art in a former monastery, historic buildings and green spaces shape the discoveries awaiting you in Saint-Ouen-Lʼaumône. The Abbaye de Maubuisson is a former Cistercian abbey and is now a contemporary art centre. Here, the monastery’s history and contemporary culture come together in one place.
Art and architectural history
The abbey’s cultural programme runs throughout the year and includes guided tours, workshops and meetings with artists. Individual offerings may vary. If you have a specific date in mind, check the current programme in advance.
The Église Saint-Ouen also tells a long architectural story: it was built between the 12th and 19th centuries and has been listed as a historic monument since 16 June 1926. The Pigeonnier, also called the Colombier, dates from the second half of the 17th century and could accommodate 1,800 pairs of pigeons.
The Tour des Bourseaux, also called the Tour d’Enceinte, is all that remains of the enclosure that surrounded the abbey. It is the only surviving tower from this enclosure. Le Ponceau is a small covered bridge associated with Maubuisson’s former enclosure. The two structures offer further, distinct expressions of the monastery’s history.
La Grange aux dîmes is an outbuilding of the abbey, notable for its roof structure. Following alterations at the end of the 20th century, it was intended primarily for events. If you would like to combine your visit with a specific event, check the current programme.
Parks, ponds and trails
The Parc de l’Abbaye de Maubuisson offers extensive lawns and mature plane trees, which have been recognised as “arbres remarquables de France” (remarkable trees of France). Its ecological diversity brings together vegetation, mineral features and an old hydraulic network. The Parc Le Nôtre is designed for walks and children’s games; at the Jardin des Possibles, gardening workshops and activities exploring flora and fauna round out the offering.
The Étangs de Maubuisson comprise two ponds of 4,500 m² each, used for fishing and walks. The Parc de la mairie offers a different scale: it covers 3.8 hectares and is home to several centuries-old trees, including a plane tree and a horse chestnut classified as remarkable. The Berges d’Oise stretch for six kilometres.
A 2020 municipal route description presents the Coulée verte as a continuous, five-kilometre footpath from Quai du Halage to Bassin Blanche de Castille. The Coulée verte is considered a protected natural area. Signage and the route may change, so check the current route before setting out. At Bassin Blanche de Castille, a promenade near Liesse connects to the Coulée verte. Access times for the ponds and opening periods at the basin may change.
Plan activities and your journey
The activities offer different experiences: walks and children’s games are at the heart of the Parc Le Nôtre, the ponds are used for fishing and walks, and the Jardin des Possibles offers workshops and nature activities. If you would like to include golf, the Golf urbain is a compact 9-hole course in an 8-hectare wooded park filled with flowers. Before a specific visit, check workshop dates and the accessibility of the facilities and golf course.
For train travel, a 2020 municipal network description lists Saint-Ouen l’Aumône Centre station as served by Transilien-SNCF Line H and RER Line C. The Pontoise–Creil section of Line H also serves Épluches. As services may change, check current connections and stops before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Taverny, Écouen, Villers-En-Arthies, Theuville, Cergy, Maffliers, Survilliers, Deuil-la-Barre.
For the broader travel overview: Val-D'oise.
