Microadventure less than an hour from Paris: along the Loing, from Montigny to Thomery (77)

All you need is a two-day weekend, a Navigo pass, a tent, a backpack and a good dose of willpower. Get ready for a change of scenery, all less than an hour from Paris. Shall we take you away for the weekend?

Day 1

Saturday morning, 10am, Gare de Lyon. Imminent departure for Montigny-sur-Loing on the R line. Wake-up at 7am, in the middle of the weekend, to prepare everything necessary for 48 hours of hiking and camping along the Loing river, in Seine-et-Marne. A micro-adventure combining nature and culture, but above all, a mini-break in the countryside, within easy reach of the Navigo pass.

It's a beautiful day in Montigny, and the sunshine alone is enough to give this early August a completely different atmosphere, warmer and less humid than the one we experienced in July. I set off in the direction of the town hall, taking a short break at the local café, Le Petit Cormier, under the kind advice of a local woman. With its lovely terrace, it's the perfect place for a coffee break before continuing on the 13 kilometers or so of my hike.

If you're passing through Montigny-sur-Loing, don't miss the12th-century church, listed as a historic monument, or the old wash-house, before crossing the little bridge that takes you across the river to Moret-sur-Loing. I cross fields and meadows before arriving at theEpisy lock, where I now take the Véloroute.

A day in Montigny-sur-Loing, the bucolic village on the banks of the Loing (77)
If Moret-sur-Loing is a well-known town, Montigny-sur-Loing is just a few kilometers away, along the Loing river. A small village on the banks of the Loing, it has retained its charm of yesteryear: set off to discover this verdant little village. [Read more]

It's here, along the Canal du Loing, that the ride takes on a different, more pastoral, more bucolic flavor, as we skirt this beautiful space where the murky waters offer the perfect reflection of the trees lining the banks. Be sure to peek through the foliage to discover the beautiful Sorques plain or the Episy marshes along the way. As you go along, the scenery changes, and you can see industrial buildings on the other bank, before passing a final lock, that of Moret-sur-Loing. You've arrived at your destination, the beautiful medieval town of Moret, the most beautiful village in the Île-de-France region, but above all, a little gem not to be missed.

If you still have a little energy left to tour the town, ask at the Tourist Office, which will be able to show you the town's listed sites. Alternatively, the banks of the Loing, which can be reached by taking the Impressionist Trail, offer a beautiful view of the town, as well as the coolness of the Loing (but beware: swimming is forbidden!). As for me, I continue on my way with a half-hour walk to Les Courtilles campsite, a ten-minute walk from Moret-sur-Loing station (Transilien R). Once there, you're free to make the most of the open-air swimming pool, mini-golf course andchildren's playground... And get a good night's sleep in tranquil surroundings!

Les Courtilles du Lido campsite, for a 3-star outdoor holiday in Moret-sur-Loing (77)
Located in the Seine-et-Marne region and within easy reach of the Navigo pass on the R line, Moret-sur-Loing is an ideal destination for a weekend or vacation in the Ile-de-France region. How about camping? [Read more]

Day 2

Wake up at 7 a.m. to the sound of birds from the Courtilles campsite: if you're feeling motivated, take a walk to Moret town center, which has something magical about it at the start of the day. Admire the beautifully detailed Francois 1er facade, pass through the town gates, discover the sumptuous basilica or the picturesque Musée du sucre d'orge, the Moret keep and its stained-glass rose window... If you're having breakfast to go, sip your coffee on the banks of the Loing!

Back at the campsite after this early-morning stroll, I pack up my tent/duvet/mattress, put on my backpack and head for Thomery today, following the banks of the Loing for 5 kilometers to reach the town where painter Rosa Bonheur made her home. While the grounds of the artist's château are open all day free of charge, guided tours are the only way to visit the animal painter's beautiful home, which is well worth the detour. You can immerse yourself in the painter's home and studio, discovering her models, her office, the park, the collections... After your visit, you can stay until the park closes (and take a tour of it), have a bite to eat on site... Then there are 2 kilometers to walk along country lanes before arriving at Thomery station and heading back to Paris Gare de Lyon.