Oise

Oise is a department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, it is named after the Oise river that runs through the area. Its prefecture is Beauvais, and it is administratively divided into three arrondissements, with Senlis and Compiègne serving as the other principal urban centers. The department covers about 5,860 square kilometers and has a population in the low to mid eight-hundred thousands range.

Geography and waterways are defining features of Oise. The Oise river itself flows through the department and is a left-bank tributary of the Seine, eventually joining the Seine near Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, just downstream of Paris. The region is connected by inland waterways including the Canal de l’Oise à l’Aisne, which links Oise to neighboring basins. Towns such as Compiègne, Chantilly, and Beauvais lie along the river or nearby, highlighting the river’s historical and economic role.

Economy and culture in Oise are diverse, with agriculture, light industry, and services contributing to growth. The department hosts several notable historic sites and cultural landmarks, including the Beauvais Cathedral with its striking Gothic architecture, the Château de Chantilly, and the Château de Compiègne within the forest of the same name. These sites reflect the region’s historical connections to the French crown and its role in culture and education.

As of recent years, Oise has a population of about 800,000 residents. The department sits on the northern fringe of the Paris metropolitan area, balancing rural landscapes with urban centers and accessibility to a broad regional network.