Explore the River Oise in the Footsteps of the Impressionists

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Explore the River Oise in the Footsteps of the Impressionists
It was the coming of the railway that made the sleepy agricultural villages and towns along the River Oise so attractive to the Impressionists. They were dedicated to painting in the open air and mostly short of cash because their new style of painting did not sell. The region offered varied landscapes which were just beginning to be affected by industrialization but had not yet become suburban and it was within easy reach of Paris, with lower rents. What was true for the Impressionists is still true for today’s Parisians looking for a rewarding day out in the country. The creation of the new town of Cergy Pontoise in the 1960s led to the building of a second railway line, the RER A, but development and population expansion have been mainly inland. The banks of the river have changed remarkably little in over 100 years. They are still lined with 19th century villas and often the only sound is that of birdsong as huge working barges slide silently past. Even in winter, in the rain, and with restaurants closed because of the current restrictions, you can be sure of spacious views, not many people, most of them local, and a railway station within easy reach. Dr. Gachet, the doctor and friend of many Impressionist painters, moved to Auvers-sur-Oise in 1872. His friend Camille Pissarro settled in Pontoise in the same year. Known affectionately as “the father of Impressionism,” he invited his younger painter friends, Cézanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh among others, to paint with him there. The railway also turned obscure villages such as Eragny into popular destinations for weekend visitors from Paris, who came to fish along the banks of the Oise. The fondue restaurant O Châlet was once a guinguette from where a ferry took fishermen across the river, and something of the guinguette holiday atmosphere still lingers in its cozy interior, packed with local families at the weekend. O Châlet, Eragny. Photo credit © O Châlet The suggested 7½ km walk along the left bank of the Oise starts at Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône station with a detour to the 13th century Abbaye de Maubuisson, then follows the river past Pontoise and the views painted by Pissarro and his friends to the fondue restaurant at Eragny, ending at the SNCF station of Eragny Neuville, with an alternative walk to the RER station of Neuville Université. But you could skip the Abbey and Pontoise and start the walk at Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône Quartier de l’Eglise station instead, ending at either of the two stations at Eragny (4½ km) or just walk to the restaurant for lunch from either station and back (3 km). You could also prolong the walk along the Oise from the restaurant, crossing the bridge to Cergy Port for the RER stations at Cergy Préfecture (5 km) or Cergy St Christophe (7 km). 7½ km walk from St Ouen l’Aumône to Eragny Neuville From the station take the exit marked “Rue du 8 mai 1945” and turn left, under the railway bridge. Take the pedestrian crossing into the Rue Guy Sourcis opposite on your right and follow the railway line until you reach a level crossing. Cross the line and turn left, following the sign for “Abbaye de Maubuisson” into Avenue Richard de la Tour. Follow the path right round to the park entrance, from where you will see a long low building, the former chapter house which now functions as an arts center. Abbaye de Maubuisson. Photo credit © Annabel Simms
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Lead photo credit : The Oise opposite O Châlet, Eragny. Photo credit ©Annabel Simms

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Annabel Simms is an English resident of Paris, with over 20 years' experience of exploring the Paris countryside by train, bus, boat and on foot. She is is the author of "An Hour From Paris" (3rd edition 2019) and "Half An Hour From Paris" (2nd edition 2023). Her website is http://anhourfromparis.com.

Comments

  • Wendy Sweetser
    2021-02-15 02:29:21
    Wendy Sweetser
    Another fascinating insight into a part of the Paris countryside that few Parisians, let alone tourists, can be aware of. Annabel Simms is a wonderfully evocative writer and her photographs make her words come truly alive. I don't know if she has a state of the art camera or simply an iPhone but it proves that, when it comes to fine photography, it's not the equipment but the person behind it that makes the difference.

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    • Annabel Simms
      2021-02-15 09:10:53
      Annabel Simms
      Thank you Wendy! In fact I have both an Iphone and a Panasonic DMC-LF1 camera, the smallest simplest compact camera I could find with a viewfinder. The Iphone is great for spontaneous shots to send instantly to family and friends but I've found the Panasonic much better for not losing pixels in zoom mode. And the viewfinder is invaluable in bright sunlight, so I always use the camera if the photos are for publication.

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