Oise is a department in the north of France named after the river Oise.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Population
Natives of the department are called Isariens.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Twinned county
Oise is twinned with Bedfordshire. One of the villages along the river Oise is Auvers-sur-Oise, famous for having been visited by several impressionist artists. This is where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last 70 days and it is his and his brother Theo´s resting place.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 49°23′N 02°25′E / 49.383°N 2.417°E / 49.383; 2.417
