What to do in and around Vaires-sur-Marne?

But what the Vaires-Torcy leisure island is best known for is its immense lake which was developed in 2019 to create a nautical stadium that officially hosts the French Rowing and Canoe & Kayak Federations. The town is proud of this sports centre of excellence which is to fly the Olympic flag during the Games next August, when local residents and tourists will flock here to enjoy a historic sporting event.

Vaires-sur-Marne does, of course, have much more than this vast sports complex. Visit the lively town centre and its shops. Well-known to the local residents, Les Bricoles de Nicole is a popular shop among fans of sustainable consumption. Behind the wooden shopfront you’ll find all sorts of day-to-day items of practical use or just for pleasure, all made by the owner herself. Candles, clothing, shampoo, cotton… Enough to convince anyone to adopt the zero waste approach.

Hands up if you’ve never eaten a bar of Menier chocolate! Treat yourself to a delicious pilgrimage at the old Menier chocolate factory. Built in the 19th century, it is the home of many famous sweet treats from our childhood. Open to the public on certain Saturdays only, this former chocolate temple no longer makes the famous bars, but it does reveal their production secrets. You’ll also be amazed by the exterior of the building, which is listed as national heritage. Its metallic structure and the façade decorated with cacao tree patterns are well worth seeing…

The Ferme du Buisson, another architectural gem linked to the Menier family, is one of those creative cultural sites that you can’t quite describe. The building used to be the chocolate makers’ dairy factory. Nowadays, it houses a wonderful artistic melting pot that bubbles with theatre, cinema, contemporary art and music. The 2,000 m² culture centre not only has shows, concerts and exhibitions for all audiences, but also invites you to try making your own creations at the various workshops organised throughout the year.

For a historical tour, visit the château of Champs-sur-Marne. Here you can enjoy a walk fit for royalty amid beautiful green surroundings. In the heart of the vast grounds, you’ll admire the magnificent formal garden which isn’t unlike the Versailles palace gardens. To round off your royal journey, take the time to visit the château itself, built in the early 18th century for the financiers to Louis XIV. Its extremely well-preserved classical facade will delight architecture enthusiasts.

East of Vaires-sur-Marne, the culture park of Rentilly leaves nobody indifferent. Besides its 50 hectares of vegetation offering residents and visitors a healthy nature walk, the park also features an architectural oddity that should rouse your curiosity. Indeed, the former seigneurial estate of Rentilly features an amazing building covered in an armour of mirrors. This bold creation by the artist Xavier Veilhan appeals to fans of contemporary art. Behind the gigantic protective shell, you’ll have the pleasure of discovering a specialised art venue and a documentation centre.

Fancy reaching for the treetops? The Accrocamp park at the Jablines-Annet leisure island invites you to play at Tarzan in the middle of the woods. Take your friends or family to defy the laws of gravity and get the adrenalin flowing. Whether you’re a novice or a daredevil, the many different trails available will ensure you enjoy your adventure to the full as you move safely between zipwires and rope bridges.

If you’re more into golfing, you’re in luck. The Bussy-Guermantes golf course in Marne-la-Vallée has been a delight for golf enthusiasts since it opened in 1988. On the 18-hole or the 9-hole course, you’ll perfect your golfing strategy between mounds, water features and trees, in a lovely unspoilt setting. And if all that exercise gives you an appetite, head for La Terrasse to enjoy the culinary delights concocted by Alexandre, the chef.

The French department of Seine-et-Marne also has something for gourmets. At the Château de Ferrières, try a delicious culinary experience at the Baron, the gourmet restaurant where the food is prepared by Patrick Juhel and his team of chefs. In a royal setting comprising three elegant dining rooms, you’ll savour dishes that look good and taste even better. Cod confit with miso, sweetbread with bergamot and other delights that’ll send your senses reeling…

Pass through the gates of Disneyland Paris and unleash your inner child. Disneyland is much more than a theme park. It’s a world that brings our heroes to life, and where adventure and enchantment await you in each of its five lands. Pick up a map to help you find your way around between the haunted mountain, Alice’s garden and the iconic Disney castle. There’s no shortage of activities in this fabulous park and you’ll have to be smart to make sure you take advantage of all that it has to offer. And if don’t want the magic to stop, book a room at one of the Disneyland Paris hotels to wake up to another enchanting day.

A short distance from Disneyland Paris, La Vallée Village offers you a chance to dress in the most beautiful creations of fashion designers. The streets of this rather unusual village are lined with over a hundred high-end fashion boutiques, if you please! So what makes it so appealing and popular? Here, garments and accessories from past collections created by the great fashion designers are sold at bargain prices. Here’s your chance to enjoy a little glitz and glamour.