Villiers-Sur-Morin: Painting, Mills and Walking Trails

Villiers-Sur-Morin can be explored through walking, art and the history of its local mills. The municipality borders the Grand Morin. Two walking loops start here, each with a different thematic focus. A painting in the Church of Saint-Rémi and dated mill uses offer further tangible points of interest.

Walking loops with different themes

Loop No. 12, “Peintures des paysages de Villiers-sur-Morin,” starts in Villiers-Sur-Morin. Its title draws attention to landscape painting. Loop No. 11, “Trois Brassets pour une Chapelle,” also starts here. It follows in the footsteps of 19th-century painters as well as the Knights Templar and Capuchins. The two routes therefore have different themes: landscapes in one case, and several historical and cultural connections in the other.

This thematic difference can help you choose between the descriptions: No. 11 brings together three named connections, while No. 12 highlights landscape painting in its title. Check the current trail conditions locally before setting out.

At the regional level, La Vallée des Peintres comprises six walking trails around Crécy-la-Chapelle, Villiers-sur-Morin, Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames, Voulangis and Coutevroult. These five named places define the geographical scope of the offering. This places Villiers-Sur-Morin within a larger walking area without implying that the loops all start in the same place.

Art and mill history

A specific connection to art can be found in the Church of Saint-Rémi: the painting “La Rencontre du Christ ressuscité et de Marie-Madeleine.” It supplements the general focus on painting with a particular work in a named location. The local history of the mills offers a different perspective on Villiers-Sur-Morin.

In 1839, there were three mills on the left bank of the Grand Morin: Ballé, Guillaume and Rivault. A succession of different uses is recorded for Moulin Guillaume: originally a cloth mill, it became an oil mill in 1650, then an iron mill, and in 1838 returned to being a grain mill. These stages make several changes in its function tangible.

Another dated conversion concerns Moulin Revault: it became a chamois leather workshop in 1900. By contrast, Moulin Guillaume is notable for a succession of changes in use, while Moulin Revault was converted in a specific year. Together, the histories of the two mills offer different insights into former industrial uses.

Apple processing and a workshop

The Apple Brotherhood tends around thirty apple trees, harvests their fruit, and has it processed into cider and apple juice by a professional cider maker. This approximate number gives an idea of the scale of the work; arrangements for processing may change. Check in advance if you want to find out the current situation.

The Étang de Villiers is reserved for the “Pêche Nature découverte” workshop. If you are interested, check the dates and registration details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Égreville, Thénisy, Bois-Le-Roi, Marne-La-Vallée, Montceaux-Lès-Provins, Léchelle, Mareuil-Lès-Meaux, Bouleurs.

For the regional travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.