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Beauvais

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City
—°101815
Beauvais (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Beauvais

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre is famously unfinished; step inside to marvel at the world's highest Gothic choir.
  • Check local schedules for the Cathedral's Astronomical Clock, which features automated figures and usually chimes at specific afternoon times.
  • If arriving at Beauvais-Tillé airport, avoid the expensive Paris shuttle if you're staying locally; use the regular municipal bus to reach the city center.
  • The city has a rich textile history; the Galerie Nationale de la Tapisserie is right next to the cathedral and well worth a visit.

🍽 Food

🍽
Ficelle Picarde

Try this savory baked crêpe rolled with ham and mushrooms, covered in cheese, available in traditional brasseries around Place Jeanne Hachette.

🍽
Maroilles Cheese Dishes

Look for local menus featuring this strong regional cheese, often baked into tarts or melted over potatoes.

🍽
Tuiles de Beauvais

Pick up these crispy almond and chocolate biscuits from traditional bakeries in the city center.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Place Jeanne Hachette

The central square is surrounded by boutiques and shops selling regional Picardy food products.

🛍
Tapestry Souvenirs

Find artisanal crafts and textile souvenirs in the small shops near the Cathedral.

🧘
Plan d'Eau du Canada

A large, tranquil lake just northwest of the city, well-suited for a quiet walk or renting a pedalo in summer.

🧘
MUDO Garden

The courtyard garden of the former Bishop's Palace (now a museum) features a peaceful retreat right next to the cathedral.

Highlights of 2026

10

Located in the Oise department, Beauvais is internationally recognized for its monumental Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral features the highest Gothic choir in the world, reaching a soaring height of 48.5 meters, although the building itself was never fully completed after structural collapses in the 13th and 16th centuries. Adjacent to the cathedral, the MUDO, Museum of the Oise, housed in the former episcopal palace with its distinctive 16th-century Renaissance towers, displays a rich collection of art and historical artifacts. Since 1664, the city has also been home to the National Tapestry Manufacture, which continues to produce exceptional woven works using traditional techniques. The historic center features several timber-framed houses that survived the heavy bombings of 1940, particularly around the Saint-Étienne Church, known for its magnificent Renaissance stained glass windows. Exploring the pedestrian streets provides a glimpse into the daily life of the Picardy region, where local markets provide fresh produce and regional specialties. The nearby plan d'eau du Canada, a 36-hectare artificial lake, provides an outdoor space for swimming, sailing, and walking during the warmer months.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C3461013161818151174
Rain mm615455426557606546657176

Live webcam – Beauvais

See what it looks like near Beauvais right now.

Beauvais: La Cathédrale Saint-Pierre · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
53,393
Coordinates
49.43420, 2.08750

Facts

  • The cathedral choir stands 48.5 meters high.
  • The tapestry manufacture was founded in 1664.
  • Beauvais-Tillé airport serves millions of passengers.
  • Total city area is approximately 33.31 km².
  • MUDO museum is housed in the former Bishop's Palace.
  • Major European production site for Massey Ferguson.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

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Sights in the town Beauvais (18)

Saint-Pierre Cathedral⛪ religious

Home to the highest Gothic choir in the world, this architectural marvel features a 19th-century astronomical clock with 90,000 parts.

MUDO - Oise Museum🏛 museum

Located in the former episcopal palace, this museum showcases a diverse collection of fine arts, decorative arts, and local history.

Le Quadrilatère🎭 culture

A contemporary art space near the cathedral that explores the dialogue between historical heritage and modern artistic creation.

Maladrerie Saint-Lazare🏺 historical

A remarkably preserved 12th-century leper colony, now a cultural site featuring beautiful medieval-inspired gardens and event spaces.

Place Jeanne Hachette🏙 civic

The city's main square, dedicated to the local heroine who led the resistance against Charles the Bold's siege in 1472.

Boileau Tower🏺 historical

A historic tower that remains from the city's ancient ramparts, illustrating the medieval defensive system of Beauvais.

Canada Lake (Plan d'Eau du Canada)🌿 nature

A large park centered around a 36-hectare lake, offering water sports, cycling paths, and a beach for leisure and recreation.

Hôtel de Ville🏙 civic

Beauvais' 18th-century town hall is an elegant classical building overlooking the bustling main square of the city.

National Tapestry Manufactory🎭 culture

Continuing a 17th-century tradition, this workshop still produces high-quality tapestries using ancient horizontal loom techniques.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Basse-Œuvre⛪ religious

A rare 10th-century Carolingian church located right next to the cathedral, preserved despite being partially demolished.

Maison Gréber🏛 museum

A beautiful house decorated with ceramics by the Gréber family, reflecting the city's rich pottery tradition.

Parc Marcel Dassault🌿 nature

A large urban park featuring themed gardens, an animal park, and sports facilities, named after the famous aviator.

Gare de Beauvais

A historic railway station built in 1860, serving as a vital transport hub connecting the city to Paris.

Elispace🎭 culture

A modern multipurpose arena used for concerts, sports events, and trade fairs, located near the airport.

Pont de Paris🏙 civic

A significant bridge offering views of the Thérain river and connecting the city center to the western districts.

Mobikid's👨‍👩‍👧 family

A playground in Beauvais that is specifically tailored to the needs of children.

Piscine Langevin👨‍👩‍👧 family

Piscine Langevin in Beauvais, a swimming pool named after Langevin.

Fosse a Baillevent🌿 nature

A natural viewpoint offering scenic vistas over the Beauvais landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Beauvais Cathedral so special?
It has the tallest Gothic choir in the world (48.5 m), but remained unfinished due to collapses.
How far is the airport from the city center?
Beauvais-Tillé airport is about 4 km northeast; buses and shuttles take about 15 minutes.
Can you see the famous tapestries?
Yes, at Le Quadrilatère there are exhibitions about the history of the Beauvais tapestry manufacture.
What is MUDO?
The Oise Museum is housed in the former episcopal palace and displays art from the Middle Ages to today.
Does the astronomical clock in the cathedral work?
Yes, this 19th-century precision clock is functional and often features animated demonstrations.
Beauvais: where is it located?
Beauvais is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Beauvais: what is there to see?
Highlights include Saint-Pierre Cathedral, MUDO - Oise Museum, Le Quadrilatère.
Beauvais: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Beauvais: why is it worth visiting?
Located in the Oise department, Beauvais is internationally recognized for its monumental Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
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