What to do in Pontoise

Activities, attractions and tours

Panoramique vue sur le Pont-de-l'Oise et Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône (95310) depuis les hauteurs de Pontoise (95300), département du Val-d'Oise en région Île-de-France, France
Panoramique vue sur le Pont-de-l'Oise et Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône (95310) depuis les hauteurs de Pontoise (95300), département du Val-d'Oise en région Île-de-France, France
The river Oise between Pontoise and Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, before dawn
Pontoise - Rue de la Roche
Pontoise, France

Pontoise Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Pontoise has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Pontoise, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Pontoise with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Pontoise

Pontoise is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Pontoise, and make it a breeze to explore Pontoise and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Pontoise to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Pontoise, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Pontoise.

Pontoise attractions

Pontoise has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Pontoise to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Pontoise.

Looking for things to do in Pontoise can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Pontoise or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Pontoise attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Eiffel Tower

Alongside the river Seine and in the Champ de Mars park, the 1,062-foot-tall (323-meter) Eiffel Tower attracts more than 7 million visitors annually. It has two restaurants, including the legendary Le Jules Verne on the second floor, and three viewing levels.
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Eiffel Tower showing modern architecture and a garden

2. Louvre Museum

With miles of corridors and 15 acres (six hectares) of exhibition space, Paris’ largest museum is one of the biggest in the world. Its official title is Musée du Louvre, but is known to locals simply as “the Louvre.”
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Paris City Centre which includes a fountain, street scenes and heritage architecture

3. Arc de Triomphe

While the vista from 164 feet (50 meters) above Paris will lure you to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, there’s much to see at the base of this landmark. It stands in the Place Charles de Gaulle where 12 straight avenues, including the Champs-Élysées, intersect and form “the star” of the city.
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Arc de Triomphe viewed up the Champs Elysees and a large french flag flying under the arch

4. Notre-Dame

Until recently, a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral offered opportunities to step inside to attend a service, view centuries-old artworks, appreciate light streaming in through beautiful stained-glass windows, delve into a crypt or even tour the tall bell towers. Today view parts of the exterior draped in tarps and scaffolding while reconstruction is underway after a massive fire in April 2019.
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Notre Dame Cathedral which includes a monument, a city and religious elements

5. Palais Garnier

Treat yourself to an evening of classical entertainment at the Paris Opera (Opéra National de Paris). Admire the handsome architecture and luxurious interiors of Palais Garnier, the home of this historic French opera company. Learn about the 300-year-old past of the Paris Opera via art collections, multimedia displays and museum exhibits.
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Palais Garnier which includes heritage architecture and heritage elements

6. Champs-Élysées

Walk along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and gaze up at the imposing Arc de Triomphe. Discover the history behind the intricate carvings decorating it. Enjoy the walk along the boulevard and shop in the designer stores lining the road.
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Paris. Champs Elysees

7. Luxembourg Gardens

Despite its grandiose beginnings as the grounds for a royal palace, the 53-acre (23-hectare) Luxembourg Gardens is known as a park of the people.
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Luxembourg Gardens showing a garden as well as a large group of people

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Recommended things to do in Pontoise

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Top 5 things to do
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What to do in Pontoise

Popular places to visit

Pontoise Cathedral

Learn about the local history of Pontoise when you take a trip to Pontoise Cathedral. Discover the countryside while you're in the area.

Pontoise Cathedral

Explore areas of Pontoise

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Saint-Martin

Saint-Martin is well liked for its restaurants and museums. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Abbaye de Maubuisson and Cergy Pontoise Leisure Island are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

Saint-Martin
This building is indexed in the Base Mérimée, a database of architectural heritage maintained by the French Ministry of Culture, under the reference PA00080163 .

Centre-Ville

Travellers like the historical sites in Centre-Ville, and Pontoise Cathedral is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Centre-Ville
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Larris-Maradas-Palette-Bocages

While Larris-Maradas-Palette-Bocages isn't home to many top sights, Cergy Pontoise Leisure Island and Abbaye de Maubuisson are some notable places to visit nearby.

Larris-Maradas-Palette-Bocages
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Marcouville

Marcouville might not have many top sights, but Cergy Pontoise Leisure Island and Abbaye de Maubuisson are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Marcouville
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Les Pâtis

Though Les Pâtis may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Pontoise Cathedral and Abbaye de Maubuisson.

Les Pâtis
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Les Cordeliers

While Les Cordeliers may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Pontoise Cathedral and Abbaye de Maubuisson.

Les Cordeliers

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Pontoise

L'Oise est une rivière du nord de la France. Elle prend sa source en Belgique, à 309 mètres d'altitude dans le massif forestier Bois de Bourlers, à Forges au sud de Chimay (Hainaut), et se jette dans la Seine à Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, dans le département des Yvelines.(Wikipedia) fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oise_%28rivi%C3%A8re%29

Eragny

E2GNF5 France Val d'Oise Cergy Axe Majeur monumental work conceived by architect and sculptor Dani Karavan Gateway and Basins

Cergy

Vexin français natural regional park

Osny

Tumbas de Vicent y Theo Van Gogh en Auvers-sur-Oise, Francia

Auvers-sur-Oise

Frequently asked questions

Is Pontoise worth visiting?
Whether you're here to experience the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample regional foods and explore the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Pontoise.
How do I spend a day in Pontoise?
Cergy Pontoise Leisure Island and Castle of Auvers are two awesome places to kick-start your holiday adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and retail options in Pontoise while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Pontoise?
Pontoise Cathedral is one of the top tourist attractions in Pontoise and should feature high on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Pontoise?
Three days will be plenty of time to check out some popular city sights, like Pontoise Cathedral, Castle of Auvers and Story Boat. The average stay in Pontoise is three days. If you have the urge to extend your holiday, Paris isn't far away.
Is Pontoise a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Pontoise is a great destination to experience on foot. Have fun wandering between Pontoise Cathedral and Cergy Pontoise Leisure Island. Then take a stroll around Saint-Martin, located 2 kms (1 mile) from the centre, and Centre-Ville, which is about 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Pontoise with kids?
If you're searching for sights and activities for all the family, here are some excellent ideas for what to do in Pontoise with kids.
What to do in Pontoise for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or fan of Mother Nature, there are plenty of things to do in Pontoise for adults including Absinthe Museum.
Are there free things to do in Pontoise?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Pontoise is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Pontoise Cathedral is one spot that doesn't have an admission fee.