is a
Commune in the northwestern suburbs of
Paris ,
France . It is located 28.4 km. (17.6 miles) from the
Center Of Paris , in the "
New Town " of
Cergy-Pontoise .
Pontoise is the official ''
Préfecture '' (capital) of the
Val-d'Oise ''
Département '', although in reality the ''préfecture'' building and administration, as well as the department council (''conseil général''), are located inside the neighboring commune of
Cergy , which is regarded as the ''de facto'' capital of Val-d'Oise.
Pontoise is also the seat of the
Arrondissement Of Pontoise . The ''
Sous-préfecture '' building and administration, unlike the ''préfecture'', are located inside the commune of Pontoise.
Pontoise is the historical capital of the
Vexin français. Its foundation dates from the
Roman times (''Pontisara''). At that time, the rock piton overhanging the river
Oise supported the defense of the ford which was on the
Roman Road , the
Chaussée Jules César , between ''
Lutetia '' (
Paris ) and ''Rotomagus'' (
Rouen ). The road still exists and is now part of the
N14 from Paris to Rouen.
Pontoise is served by
Pontoise station, a terminus on Paris
RER Line C and an intermediate terminus for suburban trains originating from
Gare Saint-Lazare as well as a terminus for suburban trains from
Gare Du Nord . Some trains originating at
Gare Saint-Lazare continue onto
Gisors . Bus services
Stivo (formerly StAN ) operates bus services within the New Town of Cergy-Pontoise operate in and around Pontoise with
Transport Interchanges situated Place Charles de Gaulle and Parking Canrobert.
Pontoise is one of the capitals of the
Impressionist movement. Many painters took as a starting point the city and its area for the creation of landscapes.
Camille Pissarro lived there for seventeen years. Other artists lived or worked in the area such as
Vincent Van Gogh (
Auvers-sur-Oise ),
Paul Cézanne ,
Charles François Daubigny ,
Gustave Caillebotte , etc.
- . Built in the 12th century and reconstructed & enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries. The tower is in Flamboyant style as well as the central portal. The central body is flanked by Renaissance building. The remaining 12th century part of the cathedral is to the back. To the North of the building is a Renaissance portal.
- (Musée Tavet-Delacour). The museum houses sculptures from the Middle Ages , manuscripts from the 17th Century and paintings from the 20th Century
- ( Impressionist collections) and garden of the five directions. The Museum is situated in a Bourgeoise house at the entrance of the old castle.
