Le Perray-en-Yvelines is home to about 7,000 people in the Yvelines department and the Île-de-France region, some 47 kilometres southwest of Paris. Standing on the edge of the majestic Rambouillet Forest, in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse National Park, this small town with character is an abode of peace and a green haven —the ideal escape for anyone eager to touch grass in a calm environment.
Its landscapes are peppered with ponds, including the Étang du Perray and the Étang de Saint-Hubert, whose banks are a great place to go for a walk and discover local biodiversity. These bodies of water are part of the Yvelines pond and canal network, commissioned by Louis XIV to supply water to the pools of the Palace of Versailles.
It has been a National Nature Reserve since April 2021. Its architectural heritage, ranging from old houses to historic buildings, speaks to its rich past. One of the must-see sights is Saint-Eloi Church, a 19th-century temple that dominates the town centre. Another iconic monument is the Croix Saint-Jacques, an obelisk-shaped landmark on the Way of St James, preserved in its current form by order of Louis XV.
A vibrant community life
Le Perray-en-Yvelines draws visitors with its positive vibes and dynamism. Throughout the year, cultural events and festivities bring the town to life, strengthening the bonds within the community. Highlights include the Perray Game Show in February, the Arts Fair in March, the Easter Egg Hunt in April, the Nature Festival in May, the Feast of Saint-Eloi in June, the Bastille Day fireworks on 14 July, night markets in fine weather, the Halloween evening in October, and the Christmas Village during the first two weekends of December.
Brimming with numerous facilities and a vibrant community scene (with almost 60 organisations, including 20-odd sports clubs), Le Perray boasts a longstanding sporting tradition. In fact, one in two residents is a member of at least one local organisation. Local athlete teams put Le Perray on the map at department and regional championships, both in team sports and in martial arts and shooting sports. This passion for sport reached fever pitch for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The award of the Terre de Jeux 2024 label empowered the town to bring the Olympic values of sport to people of all ages. Le Perray's wooded environment and ponds are a magnet for numerous athletes and, in particular, cyclists and mountain bikers. It is home to the highly active Les Randonneurs cycling association. The local authority is poised to inaugurate a new pump track to the roaring delight of everyone who adores bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates and wheeled devices in general.
