Seine-et-Marne: Nature, Culture and Brie de Melun

Seine-et-Marne has around 140,000 hectares of forest and approximately 4,400 kilometers of waterways. Around 30 sensitive natural areas are open to the public. For some areas, it is advisable to check visitor access in advance.

Forests, Water and Trails

In the Loing Valley, Marais d’Épisy features a pond, a wet meadow, a reed bed and a peat bog. These different habitats define the character of this natural area. The Chemin des Roses offers a different landscape experience: the 17-kilometer promenade is intended for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. This means three ways of getting around share a specific route; the département also has more than 3,000 kilometers of signposted cycling and walking trails.

Climbing, rowing, and canoeing or kayaking on the waterways are also part of the outdoor offering. Travelers weighing land-based activities against water activities when planning their trip will find different ways to enjoy the outdoors here. The right activity and location depend on personal interests; local providers and conditions may vary.

Cultural Heritage Through the Ages

Cultural attractions include the UNESCO-listed palace and park of Fontainebleau, the likewise-listed town of Provins and the Pays de Fontainebleau Biosphere Reserve. The palace and park were used by French kings from the 12th century onward and remodeled in the 16th century under François I. Provins is considered a unique testament to the Champagne fairs of the 12th and 13th centuries. The two places offer different historical points of reference for a cultural trip.

The underground spaces of Provins also tell the story of work in the town: they originated as a quarry for “terre à foulon,” a material used in clothmaking. Regular guided tours explore the spaces; departure times may change. Provins is connected to Paris-Est by direct trains on Line P. Check the current timetable for your travel dates.

Another historical stop is Château de Blandy-les-Tours, which hosts cultural events and offers a modernized museum presentation and visitor route. The events schedule may vary seasonally. Vaux-le-Vicomte is a masterpiece of 17th-century classical architecture. Its carriage museum explores the development of vehicles, horses and trades associated with horses. By contrast, Fontainebleau’s royal use dates back to the 12th century.

Five département museums are run in Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin, Vulaines-sur-Seine, Barbizon, Égreville and Nemours. These museums complement the châteaux and medieval town with further points of interest for a culture-focused stay.

Brie de Melun: A Regional Specialty

Brie de Melun is an AOP soft cheese made from raw cow’s milk. It is produced, processed and matured in Seine-et-Marne and in neighboring municipalities in the Aube and Yonne départements. Compared with Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun is smaller: it measures 27 to 28 centimeters in diameter and can mature for up to ten weeks. Its protected origin and these specific measurements offer a tangible way to discover a regional specialty.

Planning Your Hotel and Excursions

If Provins is part of your plans, take the Line P connection and current travel times into account. Also check the seasonal event dates in Blandy-les-Tours and the departure times for guided tours in Provins for the period of your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Dammartin-en-Goële, Vulaines-sur-Seine, Gretz-Armainvilliers, Mitry-Mory, Sainte-Colombe, La Chapelle-la-Reine, Villeneuve-Saint-Denis, Saint-Siméon, Bourron-Marlotte, Vaudoy-En-Brie, Pommeuse, Boissy-Le-Châtel, Faremoutiers, Nonville, Rouvres, Échouboulains, Villiers-Sur-Morin, Montigny-Sur-Loing, Noisy-Sur-École, Bougligny, Bassevelle, Saint-Sauveur-Lès-Bray, Verdelot, Saint-Mesmes, Réau, Châtenay-Sur-Seine, Coulombs-En-Valois, Le Châtelet-En-Brie, Rebais, Thomery, Lésigny, Champs-Sur-Marne, Arbonne-La-Forêt, Mauregard, La Madeleine-Sur-Loing, Ferrières-En-Brie, Chessy, Boutigny, Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, Longperrier, Pontault-Combault, Saint-Germain-Sur-Ecole, Bailly-Romainvilliers, Vaires-Sur-Marne, Jouarre, Bray-Sur-Seine, Seine-Port, Crèvecoeur-En-Brie, Coupvray, Chailly-En-Bière, Penchard, Jutigny, Coulommiers, Varreddes, Provins, Chartrettes, Esmans, Chanteloup-En-Brie, Saint-Mard, Les Chapelles-Bourbon, Guérard, Grez-sur-Loing, Chaumes-En-Brie, Bussy-Saint-Georges, Brie-Comte-Robert, Barbizon, Crégy-lès-Meaux, Vulaines-lès-Provins, Juilly, Cesson, Mary-sur-Marne, Coutevroult, Courtry, Esbly, Valence-En-Brie, Orly-Sur-Morin, Villeparisis, La Chapelle-Gauthier, Saint-Mammès, Amillis, Saint-Augustin, Passy-Sur-Seine, Quincy-Voisins, Carnetin, Villevaudé, Égreville, Château-Landon, Saint-Martin-du-Boschet, Machault, Saint-Germain-Sur-Morin, Neufmoutiers-En-Brie, Montry, Chalifert, Châtres, Tancrou, Perthes, Maisoncelles-En-Brie, Villeneuve-Sous-Dammartin, Saint-Ouen-en-Brie, Léchelle, Larchant, Dampmart, Montereau-Fault-Yonne, Maison-Rouge, Grandpuits-Bailly-Carrois, Bouleurs, Rozay-en-Brie, Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin, Chambry, Saint-Jean-les-Deux-Jumeaux, Égligny, Thoury-Férottes, Thénisy, Souppes-sur-Loing, Chailly-en-Brie, Le Plessis-Placy, Champeaux, La Rochette, Chamigny, Vernou-La-Celle-Sur-Seine, Champagne-Sur-Seine, Fontenailles, Saint-Germain-Laval, Trilport, Servon, Longueville, La Haute-Maison, Rubelles, Ozoir-La-Ferrière, Noisiel, Nemours, Nanteuil-Lès-Meaux, Mouroux, Moissy-Cramayel, Melun, Cannes-Ecluse, Savigny-Le-Temple, Jossigny, Beautheil, Veneux-les-Sablons, Favières, La Ferté-Gaucher, Aufferville, Germigny-l’Évêque, Choisy-en-Brie, Fontains, Annet-sur-Marne, Paley, Marolles-sur-Seine, Chelles, Soignolles-en-Brie, Bannost-Villegagnon, Touquin, Salins, Vaux-Le-Pénil, Aulnoy, Le Pin, Bois-Le-Roi, Boissise-La-Bertrand, Cerneux, Crécy-La-Chapelle, Fericy, Lizines, Lognes, Magny-Le-Hongre, Montévrain, Ocquerre, Torcy, Avon, Vert-Saint-Denis, Ury, Serris, Sancy-Lès-Meaux, Samois-Sur-Seine, Saint-Thibault-Des-Vignes, Meaux, Marne-La-Vallée, Mareuil-Lès-Meaux, Lieusaint, Le Mesnil-Amelot, Le Mée-Sur-Seine, Lagny, Isles-Lès-Villenoy, Gressy, Fontenay-Trésigny, Fontainebleau, Émerainville, Dammarie-Les-Lys, Lizy-Sur-Ourcq, Coubert, La Chapelle-Rablais, Montceaux-Lès-Provins, Ville-Saint-Jacques, Guermantes, Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne, Lissy, La Ferté-Sous-Jouarre, Collégien, Amponville, Cocherel, Baby, Claye-Souilly, Coulommes, Chartronges, Tousson.

For the broader travel overview: Ile-De-France.