Free walking tours in Poissy and what to see

Must-sees

Poissy is a town in the Yvelines on the banks of the Seine, west of Paris and at the end of one of the branches of the RER A. Its best-known sight is the Villa Savoye, which Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret built between 1928 and 1931 as a weekend house. It is a white box raised on pilotis, with ribbon windows, a free plan and a roof garden, and sums up the five points of modern architecture the architect championed. Since 2016 it has been part of the group of Le Corbusier’s works listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the centre is the 12th-century collegiate church of Notre-Dame, which marks the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. The future King Saint Louis, born in the old château of Poissy, was baptised here in 1214, and the baptismal font still survives. Look out for the 15th-century porch and its gargoyles. Afterwards, walk along the banks of the Seine, with views of the islands and the old bridge.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Poissy. What Civitatis offers is a ticket for the Villa Savoye, which lets you explore the house and its garden on your own at your own pace. The collegiate church is free to visit.

How long to spend

The Villa Savoye takes an hour to visit, and the collegiate church and the centre another hour. With half a day you can see everything at a relaxed pace. If you arrive in the morning, you can round off the day in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a few minutes away, with its château, its terrace above the Seine and its forest.

Where to stay

Poissy has chain hotels and the odd family-run hotel near the station and the centre, practical if you want to walk to the villa. For more charm, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the nicest option in the area. If you prefer to get around the capital, you can stay in Paris near the RER A line and make it a day trip.