Oise, department (1990 pop. 733,200), N France, in Picardy. Beauvais is the capital.

Oise, river, 186 mi (299 km) long, rising in the Ardennes Mts., S Belgium, and flowing through N France generally SW past Compiègne to join the Seine River near Pontoise. Navigable for most of its length, the Oise is an important transportation route; canals link it with the Aisne, Sambre, and Thérain rivers.

Oise is a department in the north of France named after the Oise River.

History

Oise is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the province of Île-de-France.

Geography

Oise is part of the current region of Picardie and is situated 35 km north of Paris. It is surrounded by the departments of Somme, Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, Val-d'Oise, Eure, and Seine-Maritime.

Population

Natives of the department are called Isariens or Oisiens.

Tourism

The major tourist attraction of the department is the Parc Astérix, which opened in 1989. Another very interesting site is Beauvais Cathedral. Also to be seen is the Chateau de Pierrefonds, restored by Viollet-le-Duc.

Twinned county

Oise is twinned with Bedfordshire

See also

• Cantons of the Oise department
• Communes of the Oise department
• Arrondissements of the Oise department

External links

• Prefecture website
• General Council website
• Oise Tourism Guide
• Oise Tourist Board