3 Properties for sale in Oise, Hauts-de-France (formerly Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy), France

Nestled in the Picardy countryside, north of Paris, Oise is a treasure trove of former royal residences, Gothic cathedrals, castles and châteaux, including the magnificent Château de Pierrefonds. Although only 35km from the capital, Oise is covered by 120,000 hectares of forest and the countryside is criss-crossed with trails that are perfect for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It is not short on culture either, boasting no less than 600 historic monuments, including Senlis cathedral, the Abbatiale de St-Germer-de-Fly, and the royal Palais de Compiègne.

CAPITAL: BEAUVAIS - Twinned with Maidstone in the UK, the capital Beauvais stands on the River Thérain where it meets the River Avelon. The city's cathedral, the Cathédrale St-Pierre, is a rare example of Carolingian architecture and heroine Jeanne Hachette, whose bravery saved the city in 1472, is commemorated in a bronze statue, which stands opposite the town hall. Dominique Ansel, the pastry chef responsible for creating the ‘Cronut', a croissant and donut hybrid, was born here.