Essonne - activities

Fête de l'Huma 2023: program of debates and events

The 88th edition of the Fête de l'Huma! This year, for the second year running, the cultural, militant and popular event is taking over the Essonne department, with three not-to-be-missed days on Friday September 15, Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17, 2023. In addition to the concerts, the Fête de l'Humanité offers a host of debates and events, as detailed below by day!

Menstrual insecurity: sanitary pads distributed to all Essonne secondary schools

From the start of the 2023 school year, all Essonne secondary schools will be equipped with sanitary protection dispensers to combat menstrual insecurity among young women.

RugbyGirl Académie: discovery days and 100% women's rugby courses in Orsay

Rugby may be considered a very masculine sport, but that doesn't mean that women are excluded. Lenaïg Corson, a former international player, has set up a rugby school for girls aged 13 to 16, offering courses and discovery days in Orsay!

Janvry, a picturesque village with a free wildlife park and events in the Chevreuse Valley

Nestled in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse in the Regional Nature Park, Janvry in Essonne is an undiscovered nugget. With its farmland and heritage, including the Louis XIII-style château and the church of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, this village of 600 inhabitants knows how to surprise its visitors. In fact, to everyone's surprise, it offers a free animal park and great events all year round.

Vélorail: discover Seine-et-Marne and Essonne on the railroads

If you're looking for an unusual way to explore the region while getting in a bit of exercise, why not try velorail? This fun activity, which involves pedaling along railroad tracks with family or friends, is available in Seine-et-Marne and Essonne.

Unusual: the first soapbox race in Dourdan (91), on October 1st

After the Paris Marathon, the Tour de France, the bathtub race on the Canal de l'Ourcq and the fast-approaching Olympic Games, it's become almost routine to see people running. So, the region's most unusual race is sure to please: see you in Dourdan, Essonne, on October 1, 2023.

Île-de-France: a photoluminescent bike path that glows in the dark in Essonne

Night-time cyclists are in for a treat: a new glow-in-the-dark cycle path has just been opened in Essonne! For added safety, photoluminescent road markings have been installed between Pussay and Angerville.

Open-air cinema in Viry-Chatillon: Free screening of the film Vaillante in Parc Leblanc

Experience open-air cinema in Viry-Chatillon's Parc Leblanc. Join us on July 21 for the screening of the film Vaillante.

Take it Easy, Etampes' family concept restaurant on the RER C - CLOSED

Since June 2019, Take It Easy has been welcoming families and children to its 100% kid-friendly café, restaurant and venue in Etampes, at the terminus of the RER C train line. Here, people come to take part in one of the many English courses (child or adult level) on offer, to take part in a parenting workshop, or to have breakfast, a snack, lunch... What's so special about this place? Take It Easy includes a play area for the little ones, with a dinette, motor skills mattresses and lots of other games! It's the perfect place to spend a Wednesday, Sunday or vacation afternoon!

The Château and estate of Courances and its superb gardens

The Domaine et Château de Courances, located in the Gâtinais region of Essonne (91), is a wonderful place to discover. Classified as a Historic Monument and Remarkable Garden, this site welcomes you every weekend and public holiday from April to early November. We take you on a tour of this verdant haven of peace.

Fort Boyard Aventures: our test of the TV-style action game in Essonne

Have you always dreamed of playing Fort Boyard? Otium Leisure offers an action game in the spirit of Père Fouras, Fort Boyard Aventures, at Brétigny in Essonne, just 30 minutes from Paris. We've tested it, and we'll tell you all about it!

Earthquake in western France: tremors felt as far away as Essonne

A rare earthquake occurred this Friday, June 16, 2023 in western France, near La Rochelle, measuring over 5 on the Richter scale. The tremors were felt as far away as Essonne!

Figurations, un autre art d'aujourd'hui: the exhibition at Maison Caillebotte, Yerres (91)

Figurations, un autre art d'aujourd'hui is the new contemporary art exhibition at the Maison Caillebotte in Yerres. On view until October 22, this is an opportunity to discover emblematic figurative paintings. Hop on the RER D to find out more about the 47 artists exhibiting on the estate!

A free Color Run in Olympic colors arrives in Gif-sur-Yvette (91)

On June 17, 2023, come and enjoy a shower of colored powder in the town of Gif-sur-Yvette, for a fun, free and biodegradable race around the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Jean-Michel Othoniel's Pont aux Boules d'Or at Domaine de Méréville unveiled

On Saturday June 3, 2023, artist Jean-Michel Othoniel inaugurated his latest masterpiece, the Pont aux Boules d'or, at the Domaine de Méréville in Essonne. Why not discover this masterpiece for yourself?

Fête de la musique 2023 : the rock band KO KO MO in free concert in Breuillet

For this 41st edition of the Fête de la musique, the city of Breuillet is going rock! Rendezvous on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Moessner Park to vibrate to the rhythm of KO KO MO!

Nuit Blanche 2023: the Iannis-Xenakis Conservatory transforms into a temple of art (91)

Spend your Nuit Blanche at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental Iannis-Xenakis, in Evry-Courcouronnes, to enjoy the works of two surprising artists. Discover them on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Fête de la Musique 2023: RaveAge Events returns to the Parc de l'Île de Brunoy

Electro, rap or dub... this is the musical program that awaits you on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Parc de l'Île de Brunoy for the 41st anniversary of the Fête de la musique.

Nuit Blanche: a monumental work is installed on the esplanade des Droits de l'Homme in Athis-Mons

Contemporary art can be admired in the open air, on the esplanade des Droits de l'Homme, in Athis-Mons. Come and admire the work installed especially for the Nuit Blanche, this Saturday, June 3, 2023.

A family treasure hunt to discover the state forest of La Grange in Yerres (91)

13 kilometers south-east of Paris, the state forest of La Grange connects the Val-de-Marne and Essonne, between the castles of Grosbois and La Grange: rather unknown, the association Au Fil de l'Eau decided to remedy this by proposing a treasure hunt combining a walk and nature observation, to discover one of the most beautiful green spaces of the Ile-de-France with the children