Forest, wetland and heritage give Avilly-Saint-Léonard a clear focus for a stay. The town is in a protected area and surrounded by forest; a walking route and a cycling route also pass through the municipality.
Landscape between forest and marsh
The Marais d’Avilly is a remarkable wetland. It provides wetland habitats for numerous species, including protected species such as the Mercury Bluet and the Common Kingfisher. Alongside the surrounding forest, the habitats of the marsh are therefore a distinct natural attraction. The protected Parc du domaine de Chantilly is located in Avilly-Saint-Léonard and Vineuil-Saint-Firmin; parts of the park are also in Chantilly.
The ice house and local heritage
The Glacière d’Avilly was built in the 17th century to store ice throughout the summer. In 2001, it was restored with the support of the Oise-Pays de France Regional Nature Park. Paintings in the square choir of a small church date from the 12th century. These distinct features offer tangible points of interest in the town’s heritage: a historic structure with a clear purpose and an artistic detail in a church interior.
Routes with different time commitments
The Grande boucle en forêt de Chantilly is a moderately difficult 16.2-kilometre route that takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. It passes through Avilly-Saint-Léonard, making it a longer hiking option. Check current route conditions before setting out. You can travel to the route by TER Hauts-de-France train from Paris-Nord to Chantilly; check current departures before your trip.
The one-hour cycling route from Senlis to Chantilly offers a different way to plan your time and also passes through Avilly-Saint-Léonard. Local highlights along the ride include old houses, a washhouse, a church and ice houses. By comparison, the 4-hour-and-30-minute hiking route takes considerably longer. When choosing, you can also take into account the hike’s moderate difficulty rating and 16.2-kilometre distance, in addition to its longer duration.
Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests
When looking for a hotel for a stay in Avilly-Saint-Léonard, you can first consider whether the town’s themes suit your trip: forest and wetland on the one hand, and the history of the Glacière and the church artwork on the other. The two routes add options for different time budgets. If you plan to hike, it will be a more substantial part of your itinerary; the one-hour cycling tour offers a shorter outing. This lets you consider your destination and the amount of activity you want to include together.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Quentin-des-Prés, Mont-L'évêque, Montreuil-sur-Thérain, Fresnoy-Le-Luat, Monchy-Humières, Le Hamel, La Neuville-Roy, Saint-Leu-D'esserent.
For the regional travel overview: Oise.
