While visitors to France often flock to Paris, or the country’s southern region, there are plenty of other cities and towns that they may miss by not exploring further. One such town, which has very few tourists, is Moret-sur-Loing, just one hour from Paris. This stunning town was recently raved about by Paris resident Ainsley Durose, who took a day trip to this beautiful destination.
Taking to Instagram, Ainsley wrote that one of her favourite things about living in Paris are the “amazing small towns” less than an hour away. Sharing just how to get from Paris to Moret-sur-Loing, she added: “From Gare de Lyon, you take ligne R to Moret sur Loing which is about a 45 minute trip for 5€ per person roundtrip, or if you have a Navigo pass, it’s free as it’s located within Ile de France!”
She continued: “Then from the train station, it’s a straight walk to the center of the town, about a 15-20 minute walk.”
This beautiful town has served as the inspiration for numerous painters, including Moret, Renoir and Sisley, and those visiting the village will certainly be able to see its influences in their works.
If visiting on a Saturday, tourists can visit the Musee du Sucre d’Orge, a small museum located in the old sugar mill. Here you can learn all about Moret-sur-Loing’s sugar-making history, which dates back 300 years.
In her Instagram post, Ainsley recommends opting for a picnic along the riverside, advising purchasing some Fountainebleau cheese, the town’s speciality, le Morétain cheese, which is made with barley sugar, using the town’s historical recipe.
Another highlight of the town is Eglise Notre-Dame de la Nativité, a Gothic church that dates back to the 12th century, although it wasn’t fully completed until the 15th century.
Visitors to Moret-sur-Loing have left rave reviews on Tripadvisor, with one writing: “Moret-sur-Loing is a very small village but beautiful. Half day is good enough. It is very relax to walk along the river.”
“The view from outside the city walls is really lovely. The town is romantic, well preserved and really really nice. Also, it has a long art tradition with impressionism. A must-visit place,” added another.
While a third penned: “Historic town you enter over stone bridge through fortified gates. We parked in town and spent morning walking, sampling pastries, eating awarding-winning croissants from a local bakery, buying cheese from an artisan fromager and picking up some wine from this great shop in the main road. Relaxing walk along river interrupted by a pair of territorial geese. All apart of the fun.”
And a fourth added: “I felt like I stepped into a fairytale book the moment I walked into the village. The views around this quaint village are picturesque and relaxing. We ate the a simple, yet delicious jambon baguette at a little patisserie in town down by the water. Truly an unforgettable experience.”