Beauvais
Beauvais is a town in Oise Hauts-de-France, approximately 90 km from the centre of Paris.
Get in
By plane
đ BeauvaisâTillĂ© Airport (BVA IATA). This airport is used by a number of discount airlines such as Ryanair who often market it as being "Paris-Beauvais airport", suggesting that it is close to Paris.
Getting there/away:
- By bus from Paris-Porte Maillot, 1:15 hrs, âŹ16.90 (as of Oct 2023); also from Amiens' bus station. Besides, there is a regular shuttle bus connecting the airport to the Beauvais city centre (Cathedral, train station and town hall) and line 6 (Town hall - Tilleuls activity zone - TillĂ©- Airport), run by Corolis.
- By train, the TER Picardie (SNCF) network provides links between Paris-Nord station and Beauvais station, from where the Corolis network services provide access to the airport. Beauvais station is also connected to the towns of Creil and TrĂ©port. Via the Beauvais-Roissy-Disneyland link, a shuttle bus runs to Beauvais-TillĂ© Airport from Paris-Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport â Disneyland Paris.
- By private car, the airport is easily accessible by the A16 motorway and the RN1 from Paris or Amiens, or by the RN31 from Rouen or Reims.
By train
đ Gare de Beauvais. Opened in 1857 this station mostly sees TER service. The Paris-Beauvais train line makes several round trips per day, especially during rush hour. This line also passes through Creil (where the RER passes). There is also a line to Eu Le TrĂ©port/Abancourt.
By bus
Shuttles connect Paris (Porte Maillot) to Beauvais-TillĂ© airport, they cost âŹ16 and generally correspond to flight times.
The towns of Oise are connected to Beauvais by various bus lines, it costs âŹ2 regardless of the journey in the Oise.
The number 30 TER-Picardie bus line connects Amiens and Beauvais for âŹ9.30.
By car
A16 towards Paris and towards Amiens, from where the motorways leave towards Rouen, Reims, Lille.
RN31 towards Rouen, N16 towards Creel.
Get around
By bus
Public transport is provided by Transports Urbains du Beauvaisis (TUB). This network is made up of 25 regular bus lines serving Beauvais and its metropolitan area.
By airport shuttle
A shuttle service between the city centre and the airport costs âŹ4 for a 48-hour pass (the only option available). It is generally cheaper to take the bus.
By bike
There are two bicycle stations: one next to the SNCF train station and one at the airport. You can then explore the city by bike and take advantage of the few cycle paths.
See
- đ Cathedral Saint Pierre. This cathedral built in Gothic style, features the world's tallest vault; but as a very tall central tower collapsed in the 16th century, the building was not finished. Beauvais Cathedral and its clocks brings tourists from all over Europe. A sound and light show, "Beauvais, the Infinite Cathedral", runs from July to September, at nightfall.
- đ MusĂ©e dĂ©partemental de l'Oise, 1 rue du musĂ©e, â +33 3 44 10 40 50. Daily 11:00-18:00 except Tuesdays and certain holidays: Easter Monday; 1 May; Pentecost Monday; 11 November; 25 December; 1 January. This museum is housed in a former Bishop's palace.
- đ Ăglise Saint-Ătienne (Saint-Ătienne Church), Rue de l'Ătamine. An example of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic art.
- MUDO-Musée de l'Oise in the palace of the bishops-counts of Beauvais.
- Remains of the Saint-Barthélemy collegiate church and ruins of the Gallo-Roman ramparts.
- Town Hall and Place Jeanne Hachette: these are two important places in the city. Jeanne Hachette is an integral part of the history of the city and is to be discovered, especially during the festivals of the same name.
- Le QuadrilatĂšre- National Tapestry Gallery
Do
- Plan D'Eau du Canada (Canada Lake): boats, beach, snacks
- Plan d'eau du Canada: a large body of water at the exit of the city, it offers boats and a beach that has been labelled European Blue Flag for several years.
- See a film, a concert, or a show.
- Fly the Fouga Magister fighter jet. A unique jet fighter ride from Beauvais airport, you can fly on Fouga Magister, the former French patrol plane. Approximately âŹ1,950 (2016)
- Aquaspace, an aquatic complex, which includes slides, spa, and a pool for diving.
- Parc Marcel-Dassault: a relaxation area surrounded by nature, with themed gardens.
- Speedpark leisure centre: indoor karting, bowling, video games, billiards, laser.
- Go karting at the Espace Karting Centre in Rochy-Condé.
- Parc Saint Paul, a large amusement park for the whole family.
- Parc de Saint-LĂ©ger Grands FĂ©lins: shows, activities, big cats and other animals.
Concerts
Many concerts are organized throughout the year: in addition to concerts in bars, the Elispace is Beauvais' large concert hall (4400 seats). L'Ouvre Boite, with 600 seats, is the most active concert hall in Beauvais. The period of the year when concerts are most frequent is during the "Blues Autour du Zinc", in March, a festival where the Magic Mirror is installed for the occasion, on the Place du Jeu de Paume.
Festivals
- In March, "Blues around Zinc",
- In April, "Film Festival",
- In May, "Cello Ensembles Meetings",
- In June, "FĂȘtes Jeanne-Hachette",
- From July to September, "The Infinite Cathedral",
- In July and August, "ScÚnes de l'Eté", "Malices et Merveilles", "Beach Beauvais" and "Canada Beach",
- From September to November, "Photaumnales",
- In December, "Féeries de Noël".
Buy
Shops include Promod, Galeries Lafayette, C&S, Jules, Maisons du Monde, Aubert, Camaieu, Celio Club, Decathlon, Devred, Etam, Jennyfer, Kiabi, M&S, and Okaidi.
The Auchan shopping centre is the largest in the city.
The Place du Jeu de Paume is a shopping centre with 86 shops and restaurants.
Eat
Some good restaurants at fairly low prices: "Bistrot du Boucher", "Le Touco", "Le Comptoir Saint-Etienne", "'Auberge de la Meule", "Le Zinc Bleu".
There are all types of restaurants in Beauvais:
- many Chinese restaurants, including the largest, with its buffet, the Royal d'Allonne
- several Japanese restaurants -
- several pizzerias including Nino, the best in Beauvais (Rue du 27 Juin)
- creperies
Drink
The five best bars are real institutions in Beauvais.
- L'After Hours, a bar that has existed for more than 20 years, a real Irish pub where the quality of beer and whiskey is privileged. Concerts on Saturday.
- Le Wallabies, Australian bar/restaurant with impressive decor.
- Le Touco, one of the favourite events for young people, where you can nibble on Texan and Mexican specialties. Theme evenings.
- La Part des Anges, lively wine bar, with aperitif snacks.
- Le Chaudron Baveur, place de l'HĂŽtel Dieu, where you can enjoy concerts every weekend, thanks to groups from all over the world.
The best known nightclub is Le Bugatti, with its three rooms with different atmospheres. The VIP has two rooms and a large smoking area.
Sleep
All the major hotel chains are represented: the cheapest are the F1 and the PremiĂšre Classe. Two cheap independent hotels in the city centre are âHĂŽtel du Palaisâ and âHĂŽtel du Cygneâ. In Beauvaisis you can find a few rooms, with or without breakfast, at the inhabitant, between âŹ30 and 60 per night, and rooms of the Airbnb network, between âŹ30 and 50.
The only "Camping de la Trye" is in Bresles, between town and nature. The Beauvais motorhome area (20 pitches) is free. There is no youth hostel.