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This town, just an hour from Paris, offers you an impressive Impressionist summer getaway

undefined undefined 1 mai 2026 undefined 08h30

The Editor

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As the air gently warms up and the green leaves reclaim their place in the trees of the capital, it’s the perfect time to escape for a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Head southeast to the Île-de-France, discovering Moret-sur-Loing. On the agenda: total change of scenery with a mix of nature, heritage, and charming streets from another time. Spoiler: you’re going to fall in love!

The May bridges are truly, truly lovely. However, we don’t always have either the time or the means to treat ourselves to a break on the other side of the world — or even on the other side of the country. Luckily, there are some accessible gems by car or public transport just a few dozen minutes from the capital. This week, we invite you to discover Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval gem nestled by the water, perfect for a day full of old stones, Impressionism, and sunny picnics.


An extraordinary setting

As soon as you arrive, the charm captivates. With its walls, fortified gates, mills, and alleys paved, Moret-sur-Loing has a movie set vibe. So, it’s no surprise to learn that Impressionist painters were totally in love with this place. Our top tip for enjoying the area? Stroll around and treat yourself to a break by the banks of the Loing to take a moment to breathe.

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After wandering like this, a break is a must. For that, head to one of the cute local spots, we recommend the crêperie La Poterne with a direct view of the water. And for dessert, let's dash to a little artisanal shop to snag a bag of candy canes, a local specialty invented in 1638 by the Benedictine monks around here, to enjoy by the riverside.


At the crossroads of history and culture

For a day or a weekend, Moret-sur-Loing offers us a total disconnection following in the footsteps of painters from the past.

Impressionists like Alfred Sisley, who lived here and painted dozens of canvases. There's even a trail that lets you discover the exact settings of his paintings. At the same time, you only need to take a stroll for a few minutes around the town and its surroundings to understand what surely captivated him.

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On one side, there’s nature, thanks to this wild and vibrant river. On the other side, we have medieval remnants, like the church, the Bourgogne gate, the keep, some bridges and mills, as well as more recent treasures like the famous Raccolet house. It’s a town full of gems, easily accessible via Transilien, by car, or for the adventurous souls, by bike, since it’s crossed by EuroVelo 3, which passes through the capital!