Val-de-Marne Holiday Guide
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Val-de-Marne – ideal for all types of holiday
The Val-de-Marne department is ideal for short breaks or longer holidays, being easy to reach from Britain and offering a genuine charm. The department is known for its "guinguettes", or riverside open air cafés that were once popular little music halls, and although less numerous, these are still a popular attraction for holidaymakers today. The River Marne also suggests other activities such as canoeing or taking boat trips, both of which are enjoyable for all the family.
Top 5 things to see and do in the Val-de-Marne
1. Enjoy music and merriment in the guinguettes
The Val-de-Marne is the home of the traditional open air cafés that once lined so many of the banks of the Marne River in the department. These guinguettes, as they are called, were more than just cafés, having music hall style entertainment and dancing on offer as well as food and wine. Today, their numbers have declined, but there are enough still in existence to enable you to enjoy this oh so Parisian and charming form of entertainment.
2. River Marne
There are several places along the River Marne from where you can take a trip on a barge, which is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy discovering the department from another perspective. You can also hire canoes, pedaloes and other craft.
3. Take a riverside stroll
Life in this department really does take a lot from the River Marne, making the most of its natural advantages. Strolling along the riverbank is a much loved pastime here, and although it may not sound exciting, it is a delightful way to relax, meet other walkers and take in the views and atmosphere.
4. Visit the rose garden at L'Hay les Roses
The department has a famous rose garden which is open to the public. For a truly romantic experience, get along to the four-acre garden in the town of L'Hay les Roses, open all summer but at its scented best in June, and enjoy. Groups can take guided tours and learn about all the different species of rose that are planted here.
5. Discover the chateaux
The Val de Marne has a coupe of really good chateaux to visit. Tours with guides are available at the 12th century Château de Grosbois, while the superb Château de Vincennes is a fabulous Gothic castle that should not be missed.
Top 5 towns and cities in the Val-de-Marne
1. Créteil
The capital city of the Val-de-Marne is Créteil. Offering a good selection of hotels, gites, bed and breakfast establishments and even a campsite, Créteil makes a good holiday base with excellent facilities. You can enjoy dining in riverside restaurants, go shopping, sail, fish or take part in other sporting and leisure activities on Créteil Lake (once an old gravel pit, but now a fabulous water sports base) or visit the lovely "Islands of the Marne".
2. Nogent sur Marne
Nogent sur Marne is a gorgeous riverside town with bags of history and heritage as well as a romantic and charming ambience. Among the most important monuments to see are the Maison des Artistes, the Saint Saturnin Church and the Pavilion Baltard, but there are many more to discover in this pretty town. There is also an excellent museum, beautiful parks and gardens, children's play areas and a colourful and attractive river port.
3. Vincennes
The town of Vincennes is one that is often found on the list of places to see in the Val-de-Marne. It has plenty of attractions, but the most famous and impressive is the superb castle. Dating back to the 12th century, this chateau is one of the most important and best preserved in France, so don't miss the opportunity to see it. Guided tours can be arranged, with advance booking recommended. The castle has glorious landscaped gardens to explore too, and a day spent here is a day that is sure to engage all members of the family.
4. Maisons Alfort
Maisons Alfort is surely worth a visit as part of any holiday in the Val-de-Marne. It's a riverside town boasting an attractive setting, a great traditional market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and a couple of really good museums. It is also classified as one of France's most picturesque towns and has large areas of parks and gardens in addition to its riverside walks.
5. Champigny sur Marne
This is another town that combines an interesting history and heritage with a very special atmosphere. The town has a wonderful old church, Saint Saturnin, the national Resistance Museum and many intriguingly named streets. It is also the best place to enjoy an authentic "guinguette", as the fabulous island situated Le Martin Pecheur (which is connected to the town of Champigny by a walkway) not only serves delicious food and wine in the best guinguette tradition, but also recreates the full guinguette experience with music and dancing.
Food and drink in the Val-de-Marne
The cuisine of the Val-de-Marne is bound up in the guinguette tradition, and as such is really quite unique. These old waterside cafés and dance halls used to serve locally sourced delicacies such as little fried river fish, mussels, locally cured saucisson, eel stews and wines from the area.
How to get to the Val-de-Marne
With Paris on the doorstep, the Val-de-Marne is exceptionally easy to get to from the UK. Fly to Paris or take the Eurostar service if you prefer, and either way you can be settling down to a dish of something wonderful beside the river in a matter of just a few hours.
