Just a 35-minute RER ride from Paris, this 5,000 m² beach with fine sand is a lifesaver on hot weekends
When the heat hits Paris and going on vacation seems out of reach, a sandy beach accessible by public transportation can make all the difference in a day. Just a few kilometers from the capital, an unexpected spot draws residents of the Paris region seeking coolness and open space.
A getaway just a short RER ride from Paris
You don’t need a car or a travel budget to treat yourself to a real break. The Cergy-Pontoise Leisure Island is easily accessible by RER Afrom stations such as Gare de Lyon, Châtelet, or Charles-de-Gaulle Étoile to the Cergy-Préfecture station. From there, a bus takes you to the recreation center.
Once you arrive, you’ll immediately feel like you’re in a whole new world. The site spans 250 hectares of recreational activities and swimming areas, making it one of the largest recreational centers inthe Île-de-France region.
The star attraction here is undoubtedly the 5,000 m² beach with fine sand. It’s the perfect place to lay out your towel, bask in the sun, and forget about the city for a few hours.
A sandy beach in the heart of a lush natural setting
The stretch of fine sand in Cergy-Pontoise offers a true sense of freedom. It has the atmosphere of a seaside sandy beach, without the TGV ride or the traffic jams on the highway.
The swimming area allows the whole family to enjoy the water with complete peace of mind. Children, adults, and even those who aren’t very athletic can all have a great time on this large sandy beach.
“There are 250 hectares of recreational activities and swimming areas—including 5,000 m² of fine sandy beach—waiting for you.”
Activities for Everyone
Beyond the sandy beach, the Cergy Leisure Island features an impressive floating water park. Water slides, inflatable structures, obstacle courses, and diving platforms make up this aquatic area.
For water sports enthusiasts, there’s also a wide range of activities to choose from. Water skiing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, and rafting are all available on the lake.
On land, there are plenty of options to round out the day. Tennis, padel, climbing walls, mountain bike trails, archery, and paintball are among the activities offered on site.
- Floating water park with slides, inflatable structures, and diving platforms
- Water sports: water skiing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, rafting
- Tennis and padel on the base’s courts
- Climbing walls and mountain bike trails
- Archery and paintball for thrill-seekers
An affordable price to enjoy the sandy beach
Admission to the sandy beach in Cergy is €7 per adult. It’s a reasonable price for a full day by the water, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
However, some activities involve an additional cost on top of the admission fee. You should plan your budget based on the recreational activities you choose to do while you’re there.
Practical Information for Planning Your Visit
The Cergy-Pontoise Recreation Island is located at 1 Rue des Étangs in Neuville-sur-Oise (95000). The address is easy to remember when planning your trip from Paris.
The RER A is still the most direct way to get there. From Cergy-Préfecture, a bus takes you directly to the base. That way, there’s no need to arrange a carpool or look for parking.
With its 5,000 m² of sandy beach and 250 hectares of recreational facilities, the site can easily accommodate large crowds on hot days. What’s more, the variety of activities ensures that every member of the family leaves with a smile.
Compared to other popular spots like the Canal Saint-Martin, this sandy beach offers much more space and a real swimming area. It’s therefore a great alternative for days when the capital becomes hard to bear.
