Nanteuil-le-Haudouin offers several distinct points of interest for a trip: the fortified Église Saint-Pierre, remains of the former château, the Chapelle des Marais and a hiking route that leads to the chapel. You can weigh up architectural history, the route and equestrian activities as separate interests when planning your visit.
Church architecture and château remains
The Église Saint-Pierre is one of the region’s rare fortified churches and has two octagonal towers on its façade. Its heritage protection is divided: the west portal was listed in 1908, while the rest of the church, including the bell tower, was registered in 1966. The two dates therefore refer to different parts of the building and different protection measures. If you are interested in architecture, you will find both a distinctive architectural form and a clearly defined history of heritage protection here.
The Louis XIII pavilions, built of brick and stone, are remains of the former 17th-century château of Nanteuil. They offer a different perspective on the town’s history: these are surviving parts of a former château, not a church with heritage protection.
The Chapelle des Marais and its history
The Chapelle des Marais was founded in 1202 and rebuilt in 1821 after falling into ruin during the Revolution. This sequence clearly distinguishes its medieval foundation from its later reconstruction: 1821 marks its rebuilding, not the beginning of the chapel’s history. If you are interested in understanding historic places through the changes they have undergone, the chapel offers a precise chronology.
A hike starting at the train station
The Boucle de Nanteuil starts and ends at Nanteuil-le-Haudouin train station, runs entirely within the municipality and leads to the Chapelle des Marais. The start and end points are therefore the same; the chapel is also a named destination on the route. This gives you a clearly defined local hiking option to plan around. The route can be a focus in its own right if you would like to explore on foot, while the buildings also offer historical points of interest independently of the hike.
Valley, river and former uses
The Chapelle des Marais lies in the valley of the Ru Marquant, a tributary of the Nonette. A spring beside the chapel feeds former fishponds that were converted into watercress beds and later abandoned. The sequence of spring, ponds and watercress cultivation also gives the surrounding area a history of former uses. It is important to note the chronology: the fishponds and watercress beds are documented as former uses, not described as present-day facilities.
The Nonette can also be placed in its geographical context: it rises in the area of Nanteuil-le-Haudouin and flows into the Oise at Gouvieux. Along with the Ru Marquant, this shows how the water landscape extends beyond the immediate surroundings of the chapel. It adds a landscape perspective to the history of the Chapelle without equating the river’s course with the hiking route.
Equestrian activities and an event
The Centre équestre - Poney-Club - Élevage Joliebrise offers equestrian activities year-round, at the club or during the holidays. Activities include guided rides in a secure park and hand-led pony rides, with parents accompanying children on the latter. Both activities are available by reservation. Check availability before your trip if you plan to include an equestrian visit.
La Nanteuillaise held its tenth edition in 2026. Nanteuil-le-Haudouin therefore offers a range of ways to shape your trip: the architecture of the church and pavilions, a hike to the Chapelle des Marais, the history of the water landscape or a reserved equestrian activity.
Discover more destinations
Cuvilly, Verderonne, Fontaine-Lavaganne, Fresnoy-En-Thelle, Froissy, Esches, Morienval, Auteuil
Go to the broader travel overview: Oise.
