Most Beautiful Villages in France: what to do in Gerberoy, in the Oise region?

Gerberoy, a jewel of Picardy

On the edge of the Bray region, Gerberoy acquired a fortified castle in 922, at the instigation of the Viscount of Fulco, followed by a keep, a hôtel-Dieu, and a collegiate church in 1015. Because of its strategic position at the crossroads of two kingdoms, the village was quickly coveted and disputed. The square tower which commanded the enclosure is today the only vestige of the castle, which at the time was next to the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre.

Labeled the Most Beautiful Village in France, Gerberoy also owes its fame to the love affair Henri Le Sidaner had for it: the post-impressionist painter created magnificent Italian gardens here, which can be seen from the ramparts. He helped make "Silent Gerberoy" the city of roses, celebrated every year since 1928.

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Must-sees in Gerberoy

• The collegiate church of Saint-Pierre

Rebuilt in the 15th century after being burnt down when the town was taken by the Earl of Huntlingdon's English in 1419, the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre in Gerberoy has a wooden vaulted nave reminiscent of the Norman style.

Listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments since 1984, the church houses a large number of furnishings: in addition to the canons' choir stalls decorated with 15th-century misericords, three beautiful 17th-century Aubusson tapestries are listed, as well as an 18th-century chapel and a Louis XV-style pikeman.

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• The Le Sidaner Gardens, classified as "Remarkable Gardens

At the very beginning of the 20th century, the post-impressionist painter Henri le Sidaner fell in love with the sleeping beauty, which became a real source of inspiration for his paintings. Gerberoy quickly became the painter's place of residence and became involved in the restoration of the village: he created sublime Italian gardens on the ruins of the castle built in the 19th century and still visible from the ramparts.

Wisteria, hydrangeas, clematis, and other daisies also bloomed throughout the village, not forgetting the roses, for which he created a festival that is still held today. Invited by Le Sidaner, Manet, Rodin, and Monet came to visit the village, which in 1938 was awarded the title of "most beautiful village" by the Touring Club de France.

• The Yew Garden

There are also roses in the Ifs garden, which has more than 300 old, modern and botanical roses. In addition to the roses, the garden has a unique collection of yew trees, particularly ancient ones. One of them, the "Igloo Yew", won the prize for the most beautiful tree in France in the national competition "Tree of the Year" in 2017, organized each year by the National Forestry Office.

The garden is also classified as a "Jardin Remarquable", and has a restaurant, located in a family house dating from 1744 which was the home of the governors of Gerberoy, as well as a tea room. A permaculture vegetable garden supplies part of the restaurant's menu.

• Gerberoy Municipal Museum

The town hall museum of the village of Gerberoy, built in the 18th century, presents some objects and documents on the history of the village, including drawings by Le Sidaner.

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What to do around Gerberoy?

Within a radius of 10 to 40 kilometers around Gerberoy, discover the green Picardy and its valleys! Among the towns to stop in are Songeons, Hétomesnil, and Saint-Arnoult.

Don't miss Saint-Germer-de-Fly, in the Pays de Bray, 13 kilometers from Gerberoy, which is famous for its old Benedictine abbey. Drive a little further to Forges-les-Eaux (35 kilometers from Gerberoy), classified as a Plus Beaux Détours de France and a Station Verte.

Lyons-la-Forêt, 36 kilometers from Gerberoy, is also one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Nestled in the heart of the largest beech forest in France, this village is ideal for a green getaway, in a postcard setting of half-timbered houses and authentic shops and antique shops.