"Medieval town in the Ile de France" Moret-sur-Loing by Dabs

Moret-sur-Loing Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 70 photos

Finding ourselves with a little spare time after visiting the chateau at Fontainebleau, we picked up a guide to the area at the local tourism office and thought Moret-sur-Loing sounded interesting.

The charming medieval town sits on the banks of the Loing River, "sur-Loing" means on the Loing. The bridge, town gates and other remnants of the walls date to the middle ages when towns needed protection from invasion. During the Renaissance period Henri IV kept his mistress here in the keep, in 1664 the keep was turned into a prison and Nicolas Fouquet, the owner of the fabulous chateau at Vaux le Vicomte, was held here. He was escorted to Moret-sur-Loing by the musketeers including d'Artagnan who was made famous by Alexander Dumas in "The Three Musketeers".

Napoleon slept here

Napoleon slept here?

Of course towns trying to draw in tourists will draw upon famous people to establish it's worthiness as a tourist destination, in 1815 Napoleon I was returning from exile on the island of Elba and stopped at a lodge opposite the town hall, there's a commemorative plaque on this building at 24 rue Grande, the main road between the two gates.

Alfred Sisley

Along the Loing

Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley had a real connection to the town, he lived here from 1889 until his death in 1899. There are several points of interest in connection to Sisley, a house where he lived, a museum and the cemetery where he is buried.

Last visit to Moret-sur-Loing: Sep 2011
Intro Updated Nov 13, 2011
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Reviews (6)

Barley sugar Local Customs (2)

One of the things the tourism staff mentioned that we had to try was the famous barley sugar candies that are produced... more travel advice

Walk through town Things to Do (3)

The draw of Moret-sur-Loing isn't any particular sight or museum, it's the lovely setting alongside the Loing River.... more travel advice

Statue of Alfred Sisley - Moret-sur-Loing

Alfred Sisley Local Customs (2)

Alfred Sisley spent the last 10 years of his life, from 1889-1899, in Moret Sur Loing. He died here from cancer in 1899,... more travel advice

Notre Dame Things to Do (3)

Notre Dame church was begun in 1166 on grounds consecrated by Thomas a Becket, construction continued through the 15th... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Driving from Fontainebleau

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Comments (4)

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toonsarah Dec 30, 2011 at 9:15 AM

This looks such a pretty little town Kristi, especially along the river banks. And that Renaissance facade is stunning! But while I like the paintings of Sisley a lot, I have to admit to an aversion to barley sugar - my mother always gave it to me as a child to alleviate my car sickness, so you can imagine that it doesn't have the pleasantest of associations for me! The shop that sells it is very pretty however ;-)
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Nemorino Nov 26, 2011 at 6:27 AM

Hi Kristi, I like the looks of that mill, particularly. Never heard of barley sugar, I must admit.
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hunterV Nov 22, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Hi, Kristi!~ It's been pleasure reading your travel pages!//////
/ Take care!~
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balhannah Nov 16, 2011 at 9:18 PM

What a pretty medieval town! Lovely photo's.