The Montmorency forest estate, which covers several municipalities in Val-d'Oise, is an ideal place for a breath of fresh air in the heart of nature. This hilly area, covering 2,200 hectares to the north of the town of Montmorency, is home to a wide variety of animals and plants. With a bit of luck, you may spot roe deer, wild boar, foxes or badgers.
Follow the trails and paths through the state-owned forest and admire some of the ancient remains between the majestic trees, such as the Château de la Chasse, a medieval building between two ponds, open only on Heritage Days, the Devil's Bridge and the 19th-century Plumet Tower. In the municipality of Montmorency, you can also stroll along one of the 7 marked trails, among winding steps, undergrowth and steep paths.
This idyllic setting has welcomed some great historical figures, in particular Charles Le Brun, painter to King Louis XIV, and the writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The philosopher's former home, located in Montmorency, is now a museum in his memory and a certified Maison des Illustres heritage site. If you are interested in religious buildings, be sure to stop by the Collegiate Church of St. Martin, built in the 16th century in the Flamboyant Gothic style, which has some interesting 3D guided tours.
