Choisy-Au-Bac lies at the confluence of the Oise and Aisne rivers and is also surrounded by the state-owned Forêt de Laigue. The rivers and forest provide two distinct natural points of reference for a trip. Parc de la Brunerie adds an arboretum and an orienteering course; there is also the Parcours santé du Chatelet and a signposted cycling route. The activities offer different experiences—from walks and tree-watching to map navigation, exercise stations and cycling.
Forest and tree species
The Forêt de Laigue is an area for walks that many hikers enjoy. In the arboretum at Parc de la Brunerie, a numbered trail leads to 21 selected trees; the arboretum also has nine exotic tree species. The numbers refer to different features: the trail leads to 21 selected trees, while the nine exotic species are part of the arboretum. The numbered trail draws attention to individual trees, while a walk in the Forêt de Laigue puts the forest as a whole at the center of the experience.
Navigation and exercise
The orienteering course in the same Parc de la Brunerie offers a different challenge: using a map, you must find control points located in the terrain. The course selection includes a green beginner course and two blue courses described as easy, distinguishing the three options by color and rating. The contrast with the arboretum is clear: there, the numbered trail leads to selected trees; here, you search for control points using a map.
The Parcours santé du Chatelet focuses on exercises at stations. It starts near the Chapelle des 3 chênes; 15 wooden exercise stations are located along existing paths. The course was renovated in June 2024. Unlike orienteering, the focus here is on exercises at stations rather than searching for control points with a map.
A signposted 4.5 km cycling route in Choisy-Au-Bac leads to the Clairière de l’Armistice. Its specific length and named destination help you factor the cycling option into your travel plans. The route is signposted and leads to a named destination; in orienteering, you use a map to search for control points in the terrain. The two activities therefore differ in their wayfinding, destination and task, as well as in how you navigate on site.
Culture and finding accommodation
The Église de la Trinité serves as a venue for classical music concerts. This adds a cultural focus alongside the nature and exercise activities. When looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether your stay will be shaped more by nature, exercise or classical music.
Discover more destinations: Passel, Crépy-En-Valois, Avilly-Saint-Léonard, Bresles, Saint-Sulpice, Conchy-Les-Pots, Fresnoy-En-Thelle, Auneuil
For the broader travel overview: Oise.
