The Oise valley north of Paris is a quiet, green corridor, and Blaincourt-lès-Précy is one of its villages, a cluster of houses and farms on the edge of the river plain. It is a place where the Paris region fades into the countryside of Picardy, with fields, woods and old stone villages, and it makes a peaceful stop on a ride through the valley.
The area is rich in history. The town of Précy-sur-Oise next door has a fine Gothic church, and the river was an important route for trade and travel for centuries. To the south lies the great forest of Chantilly, with its château, home of the Condé princes, whose stables are among the most magnificent in Europe and now house a museum of the horse. Chantilly is also the home of the famous cream and of French horse racing. To the east, Senlis, with its Gothic cathedral and Gallo-Roman walls, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns near Paris.
From the saddle it is pleasant and relaxed. Roads follow the river and wind through the forests, with gentle curves and good surfaces. The forests are cool and shady in summer, and in autumn, the colours are spectacular. Traffic can be heavy around Creil and Chantilly, especially at weekends, but the minor roads are generally quiet.
Blaincourt has few services, so fuel and supplies are best found in Précy, Creil or Chantilly. A stop in Chantilly for a coffee and a taste of the famous cream is a classic treat. Beyond, the ride heads back towards Paris through the Chevreuse valley, or west towards the Eure, depending on the day's plan.