Fête de Magny-en-Vexin

Magny-en-Vexin, capital of Vexin in celebration

Magny-en-Vexin is the main town of Vexin français, this chalky plateau that extends northwest of the Val-d'Oise between the Seine and the Oise. Gateway town to the Vexin français regional natural park, Magny has a remarkable architectural heritage and a service center role for a vast rural territory. Its communal festival, organized every summer, is one of the most important events on the local calendar and brings together town residents and park visitors around popular festivities.

A festive program rooted in the Vexin terroir

The Fête de Magny-en-Vexin aims to promote the terroir and culture of French Vexin. Local producers—cereal growers, breeders, market gardeners, beekeepers—are invited to present their products as part of a terroir market that highlights the agricultural richness of the Vexin plateau. Demonstrations of traditional artisanal know-how—blacksmithing, basket weaving, caning, weaving—recall the trades that have long animated rural life in Vexin. A plowing or agricultural product competition, organized in certain years, celebrates the peasant traditions of the territory. Concerts of folk and traditional music echo the Norman and Picard melodies that have long accompanied the lives of Vexin peasants.

Entertainment for all generations

The Fête de Magny-en-Vexin offers a complete program of entertainment so that every visitor—child, adult, or senior—can find something to enjoy. Traditional games—boules, Flemish crosse, ring toss—recall the pastimes of yesteryear. Fairground rides and attractions delight the youngest. A flea market allows bargain hunters to find rare gems and unusual items in the aisles of the flea market. Painting and photography exhibitions dedicated to the landscapes of Vexin showcase the beauty of the territory and the work of local artists. The evening often concludes with a popular ball led by an orchestra or DJ, allowing all generations to dance together until late.

Magny-en-Vexin and its architectural heritage

The Fête de Magny-en-Vexin is also an opportunity to visit the town and its heritage. The Saint-Martin church, a remarkable 16th-century Gothic building, is often open for guided tours. The old houses in the town center, with their Vexin limestone facades and slate roofs, illustrate the traditional rural architecture of the plateau. The Château de la Motte and the bourgeois residences surrounding the central square bear witness to the past prosperity of this small agricultural capital. A walk through the streets of Magny-en-Vexin reveals heritage treasures that many visitors do not suspect.

Practical information

By car: Magny-en-Vexin is accessible via the D14 from Pontoise (about 25 km) or via the D983 from La Roche-Guyon. Scenic route through the Vexin plateau.

No train station: The car is the most convenient means of transport. Carpooling recommended.

Free admission for most activities. Some attractions may be subject to a fee.