Seine et Marne, Home to Princes, Kings and Emperors...Royal Cities, cities for country stays, Fontainebleau, and Vaux le Vicomte, located between the palace and forest, has been hosting the greatest persons for centuries…
Château Fort de Blandy les Tours (40 mn)
One of the first feudal homes built in the 13th century. This is a simple manor with an irregular enclosure. During this century, significant work at fortification was made, in particular the building of three fortified towers which came in addition to the gate tower. A large residential building was constructed within. The 14th century was marked by an important development in the castle defenses. A moat was dug. A new gate tower, with a drawbridge was perched on the fortified wall. In the second half of the century, Blandy became a model of the fortress castle. The dungeon, about 39 meters high, was built and defended by to draw bridges . The fortifications were modified by adding new towers and new curtains (trench lines between two strong points).
Château de Vaux le Vicomte (40 mn)
This castle is the masterpiece of greatly talented three artists brought together by a genius Maecenas, Nicolas Fouquet: Louis Le Vau was the architect, Charles Le Brun the decorator and André Le Nôtre landscaper. On August 17, 1661, the superintendent of royal finances gave a fantastic party to inaugurate his new castle at Vaux le Vicomte.
Château de Fontainebleau (40 mn)
From the royal charter of 1137 to the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, the castle of Fontainebleau has seen the passage of the lives of the greatest French sovereigns. The fortress, medieval in origins, gave way to a Renaissance palace under the impulse of François 1st. At this time, two Italian artists, le Primatice and le Rosso, with rivaling talents, formed the first " school of Fontainebleau".
Medieval City of Provins (60 mn)
The city of Provins has o btained the label "city of art and history" and is listed among the World Heritage Sites. With a heritage unique in France and a series of events centered on the theme of the Middle Ages, Provins transports its visitors to the time of lords and knights As soon as they arrive at the Visitors Center, curious spectators can discover an important medieval heritage. An audiovisual display tells the tale of the city and a giant model gives a feeling for the city in the Middle Ages. Special packages make it possible to join visits to monuments with admittance to certain spectacles. For those who come to cover the city by foot, the Office of Tourism has created pedestrian pathways and sign postings to make the discovery of the City's numerous monuments completely clear. Faithful to the original architecture and thanks to a city restoration plan, Provins is the most representative city of the medieval era in France.
Village of Moret sur Loing (45 mn)
The romantic city of Moret-sur-Loing transports its visitors to the time of the Impressionists. A circuit, following the footsteps of Alfred Sisley (booklet sold at the Office of Tourism) invites you to rediscover motifs, unchanged and immortalized by the painter during the 20 years that he spent in Moret-sur-Loing. The fortified doors, the narrow alleyways, the Notre Dame Church, the Dungeon, the bridge and the banks of the Loing have kept their medieval and picturesque character.
The Painters' Village of Barbizon (40 mn)
Thanks to its proximity to Paris and its location bordering the forest of Fontainebleau, starting in 1830 Barbizon became the promised land for watercolor and landscape painters. Coming to "catch nature in its home", they created the School of Barbizon which opened the way for Impressionism. Some 100 artists (Corot, Millet, Rousseau, etc) stayed in Barbizon and thus contributed to the celebrity of this small village which today is known throughout the world. A circuit following the footsteps of the painters lets the walking visitor discover the "painters' village"
This is the starting point to visit the riches of Val de France
Countryside getaways, Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte, with their place between palace and forest have been creating the most important persons for centuries...
Chantilly and Senlis (25 mn)
Chantilly c ombines the love of art with equitation. This history of the city is that of its castle. There, the Important People of France’s history have come one after the other: Montmorency to Condém famous artists including Le Nôtre, earned their reputation there. To all of this is added the sumptuous stables with palace-like appearances that now house the living museum of the horse. In addition to the castle, the park, and the surrounding forest...
the Musée Condé presents the foremost collection of paintings after the Louvre.
Reims and The Counts of Champagne… (70mn)
The Notre Dame cathedral: A masterpiece of Gothic art, built in the 13th century, particularly rich in statuary. The cathedral is famous for having been the place where the kings of France were crowned. The former Royal Abbey of St. Remi where the Holy Ampulla for anointing the kings of France was conserved, today is the Museum of the history of Reims and regional archaeology. The abbey church , the Basilique Saint-Remi : built during Roman times and redesigned during the Gothic era its chevet possesses magnificent restored stained-glass windows from the 12th century, and shelters the tomb of St. Remi. It was a place of high pilgrimage, unique in the world.
Want Magic? Disneyland Paris… (15mn)
The cellars of the Champagne Houses. There, where the greatest international brands are developed. Dining in a cellar is unforgettable. Reims i s surrounded by the most magical vineyard in the world; " La Route du Champagne" (the Champagne Road) testifies to this.
