Fay-Les-Étangs: Horse Riding, Church and Countryside

Fay-les-Étangs offers several specific themes to help you choose your destination: the equestrian activities at Haras des Étangs, the architectural history of Saint-Vaast Church and suggested routes through the region’s countryside. There are also two distinct connections to the landscape: the River La Troesne runs through the town, while the former ponds in the south have since been drained. The town’s history thus encompasses both present-day activities and architecture, as well as past land use.

Horse riding and competitions

Haras des Étangs welcomes riders of all levels, from pony rides for toddlers to competitive riding. The activities also include hacks and horse-riding treks. These options offer different experiences: hacks and horse-riding treks are for people who want to explore on horseback, while competitions focus on sporting events. Several times a year, the stud farm holds competitions with events in the Pro, Ama, Club, Ponam and young horse categories. If you are planning your trip around a competition, check the specific dates in advance.

The architectural history of Saint-Vaast

Saint-Vaast Church has a history of construction spanning several stages. Its nave dates from the late 11th century. In the 16th century, the church was given a new choir with two bays and a flat east end; the windows that illuminate it are in the Flamboyant Gothic style. A bay is a section of a church interior, while a flat east end describes the shape of the end of the choir. These terms help explain the difference between the older nave and the later choir, without reducing the church to a single period of construction. On the south side of the base of the bell tower, there is also a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist; it was probably used by the lord of the manor. For architecture enthusiasts, Saint-Vaast brings together specific architectural features and a distinct sequence of construction periods.

River, former ponds and routes

The River La Troesne runs through Fay-les-Étangs. There were once ponds in the south, but they have since been drained. Wells for growing watercress were dug in the area of these former ponds. This links the history of the landscape with its agricultural use: watercress gives the former pond landscape a specific connection to the town’s history. The river and the drained ponds represent different time periods—a geographical feature of the town and a former state of the southern area.

For outdoor activities, the municipality suggests numerous walking and mountain biking routes to discover or rediscover the region’s landscapes. One specific walking route is called “Balade autour de Fay-les-Étangs.” A route description from 2024 names Fay-les-Étangs cemetery as the starting point; around two-thirds of the route passes through the Vexin’s plains and forests. Check the route’s current status before setting out. The broader route suggestions leave room to choose between walking and mountain biking; the described route, by contrast, offers specific guidance on the starting point and approximate proportion of the landscape covered.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Sulpice, Hondainville, Villembray, Songeons, Pierrefonds, Fresnoy-Le-Luat, Quesmy, Airion

For the broader travel overview: Oise.