Proisy brings together botanical discoveries, paths in a biodiversity reserve and flood protection on the Oise, with a connection to the Scandibérique cycling route, also known as EuroVelo 3. The themes are clearly distinct: Jardin d’Hélène focuses on wild-growing and medicinal plants, La Haie Fondue combines paths with ecological functions, and Barrage de Proisy is associated with regulating major floods. This raises a clear question when choosing a destination: should the focus be on plants, nature conservation, water engineering or a cycling stage? The details below make these different points of interest more tangible.

Jardin d’Hélène: Plants and Tasting

The visitor reception area at Jardin d’Hélène is located in a former goods shed belonging to the Nord railway. The former goods shed thus provides a link to the railway, while the focus is on plants. A fully guided visit introduces visitors to wild-growing and medicinal plants in their natural surroundings and ends with a tasting. Jardin d’Hélène also offers cooking workshops focused on medicinal plants. To choose between the formats, consider their content: the guided tour is about plants in their natural surroundings, while the workshop is about cooking with medicinal plants.

La Haie Fondue: Changing Paths and Nature’s Functions

At La Haie Fondue, paths and terrain should not be considered unchanging: the paths are easy, but may vary depending on the season or vegetation growth. Visitors are advised to wear walking shoes or rubber boots. This is a useful planning note: the description “easy” does not replace checking for seasonal or vegetation-related changes. La Haie Fondue is also a biodiversity reserve and a place for study and reflection. It helps counter erosion and provides shelter for small animals fleeing the degradation of their habitat. Two different considerations therefore come into play when planning: the changing condition of the paths and the ecological function of the site.

Barrage de Proisy: Flood Protection on the Oise

Barrage de Proisy broadens the picture of Proisy to include flood management on the Oise. Completed in 2009, it regulates major floods and reduces damage to homes from Proisy to Noyon in Département 60. The dike is one kilometre long. The structure thus complements the botanical and ecological themes with an engineering-focused attraction.

Proisy on the Scandibérique

For cyclists, the stage information provides another point of reference. The 24 km Etréaupont–Guise stage is part of the Scandibérique, also known as EuroVelo 3. Points of Interest on the Etréaupont–Guise stage include Proisy, Barrage de Proisy and Jardin d’Hélène. The stage information thus combines a specific distance with three named points of interest. Further along in the region, EuroVelo 3 runs between Guise and Hirson via the former Axe Vert de Thiérache.

Discover more destinations: Brunehamel, Artonges, Reuilly-Sauvigny, Vendhuile, Fère-En-Tardenois, Orval, Noyant-Et-Aconin, Épieds.

See the regional travel overview: Aisne.