Things to Do in Beauvais

A modern gallery dedicated to Beauvais' medieval and contemporary tapestry tradition. Free entry to the permanent collection showing full-scale woven pieces.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-12:30, 14:00-18:00; closed Mon

💡 The guided tour (minimal fee) is worth it – they show you a handloom in action. Otherwise, the free self-guided route is fine. Check for weekday closures.

Former bishop's palace turned art museum. Free permanent collection of French paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ground floor has a lovely courtyard garden.

🕐 Wed-Mon 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; closed Tue

💡 The temporary exhibitions cost, but the permanent rooms are free. Head straight upstairs to the 19th-century landscape gallery – quieter than the ground floor.

Former bishop's palace housing fine art from the 16th to 20th centuries, including works by Daubigny and local painters. Quiet, well-lit galleries.

🕐 Wed–Mon 09:00–12:30 & 14:00–18:00; closed Tue

💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of each month. The permanent collection is always free; temporary exhibitions may cost €5–8.

The tallest Gothic choir in the world. An unfinished but massive cathedral with stunning 13th-century stained glass and a working astronomical clock.

🕐 Daily 08:30–18:00 (until 19:00 in summer); closed for lunch 12:30–14:00

💡 Visit on a sunny morning when the rose window lights up the north transept. The climb up to the roof terrace is paid but worth it for the view.

A towering Gothic cathedral with the world's highest choir vault. It never got its nave, so you walk right into the soaring chancel. The astronomical clock inside runs on hourly chime.

🕐 Daily 09:00-18:00; closed 12:00-14:00 Sunday

💡 Go just after lunch when the sun hits the south transept rose window. The queue for the clock show (small fee) forms 20 mins early.

A narrow alley off Rue des Vases Communicants filled with large-scale murals by international street artists. Constantly evolving outdoor gallery.

🕐 Accessible 24/7

💡 Best light for photos is late afternoon. The alley is off the main tourist trail – look for the red brick wall at the end of Rue des Jacobins.

A mile-long walking route through the old quarter past street murals, brick arches and half-timbered houses. No galleries – just real urban art in back alleys.

🕐 Open 24/7; best in daylight

💡 Start from the cathedral and head east. Look for the giant mural of a weaver on Rue des Jacobins – it's faded but authentic. Best light at 17:00.

A 10-hectare park with formal French gardens, a lake, duck pond, and picnic areas. Good for a quiet afternoon stroll.

🕐 Daily 08:00–20:00 (closes at dusk in winter)

💡 Pack your own picnic – there’s no café on site. The best shade is by the lake on the west side.

A sprawling public park with a lake, walking paths and a small zoo. Free entry to the zoo area, which holds deer, goats and peacocks. Great for a picnic.

🕐 Daily dawn until dusk; zoo area closes 18:00

💡 Buy bread from a boulangerie near the cathedral – the zoo animals are used to hand-feeding at 15:00 when keepers do rounds.

A 40-hectare lake with walking and cycling paths, a children’s playground, and free kayak hire (first-come, first-served). Popular with locals for jogging.

🕐 Daily 08:00–20:30 (lake closed for swimming; path open year-round)

💡 Kayak hire is free but queues form by 10am on summer weekends. Bring cash for the snack van near the main car park.