Stand on the platform at Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy and the two things that define this new town are already in view: the spires and hotel towers of Disneyland Paris on one side, and the glass roofs of Val d'Europe on the other. Step away from that axis and Marne-la-Vallée turns into something quieter — a planned town of 31 communes, spread across Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne, where the older village churches sit a short hop from the theme parks.
It suits travellers who want a base east of Paris with easy rail links, families combining the parks with shopping, and anyone curious about how a French new town was laid out from the first plans in 1965 onwards. This guide covers the places worth your time and how to string them together in a single day.
Top things to do in Marne-la-Vallée
1. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is the anchor of the whole area, and it is made up of two parks: Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World. If you are coming for the rides, this is where your day goes.
Give it a full day rather than squeezing it around other stops, and treat the rest of Marne-la-Vallée as a separate outing.
2. Val d'Europe
Val d'Europe is the shopping and town-centre counterpart to the parks, and it is one of the named places in Marne-la-Vallée rather than an afterthought to it. It works well as a half-day when you want a break from queues.
Because it sits in the same eastern cluster as Disneyland Paris, pair the two across a single stay rather than making separate trips.
3. Église Saint-Barthélemy
One of the parish churches of Marne-la-Vallée, and a reminder that the new town was built around existing villages rather than on empty ground. Worth an hour if you are working your way through the communes.
Churches in this part of France are often locked outside service times, so plan your visit around a service or check locally before travelling out for it.
4. Église Saint-Martin
Another of the named churches of Marne-la-Vallée, and the kind of stop that gives shape to a day spent away from the parks. Its interest is in the building and its setting within the commune.
Combine it with one of the other churches on this list rather than making a dedicated journey, since each is a short visit.
5. Église Saint-Médard
A third church within Marne-la-Vallée, useful if you are tracing the older settlements that the new town absorbed. Quiet, local, and best approached without expectations of a major monument.
Go in the morning if you want the building to yourself, and check the notice board for the current opening arrangements.
6. Église Saint-Rémi
The fourth of the named churches, and the same proposition: a village church within a modern urban area. Worth including if churches are your interest rather than a box to tick.
Group it with the other three churches on a single loop instead of spreading them across separate days.
7. Moulin Saulnier
Moulin Saulnier is listed among the attractions of Marne-la-Vallée and is the most distinctive non-park sight named in the sources. It is the kind of industrial-era structure that rewards a look from the outside.
Check access before you go, and pair it with the Émile Menier memorial, which belongs to the same story.
8. Émile Menier (memorial)
The Émile Menier memorial is the companion stop to Moulin Saulnier and the clearest link in Marne-la-Vallée to its industrial past. It is a short, focused visit rather than a half-day.
Do the two together in one outing, since neither takes long on its own.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Disneyland Paris, choosing either Disneyland Park or Disney Adventure World rather than trying to cover both. Arrive for opening so you get the first hours when queues are shortest.
Afternoon: Move on to Val d'Europe for lunch and a change of pace, then use the remaining daylight for the Moulin Saulnier and the Émile Menier memorial, which sit together and take little time.
Evening: Return to Disneyland Paris for the evening, or if you have had enough of the parks, finish with one of the churches — Église Saint-Barthélemy, Église Saint-Martin, Église Saint-Médard or Église Saint-Rémi — checking service times before you set out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Marne-la-Vallée?
It is a new town east of Paris, spanning three departments: Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne.
What is Marne-la-Vallée best known for?
Disneyland Paris, which includes Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World, and Val d'Europe. The Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, ESIEE Paris and the École des Ponts ParisTech are also located here.
How many communes make up Marne-la-Vallée?
It includes 31 communes, and has been gradually built up since the first plans in 1965.
Is Marne-la-Vallée only worth visiting for the theme parks?
No. Beyond Disneyland Paris and Val d'Europe, the area has churches including Église Saint-Barthélemy, Église Saint-Martin, Église Saint-Médard and Église Saint-Rémi, plus the Moulin Saulnier and the Émile Menier memorial.
Decide how many days you can give to the parks versus the villages, then start mapping your route through the communes.