Cycling weekend in the Melun and Vaux-le-Vicomte countryside

Once you reach Corbeil, it’s only 27 km to Melun. It’s a pleasant ride, too: the route runs along the Seine, and stays flat all the way! As you go, you’ll see the riverside become increasingly idyllic, especially when you get to the Affolantes – gorgeous holiday homes that have stood here since the 19th century and Belle Epoque era.

The Leroy factory at Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry was famous for making wallpaper (1842-1982), and remains a proud witness to the industries that once prospered along the banks of the Seine. It has since been transformed into an independent cultural space known as Les 26 Couleurs, featuring everything from theatre to cinema, arts and crafts workshops and more. Visit the Leroy Memorial Site to learn more about this industrial adventure, as well as the old machines that are now listed historic monuments.

Located in one of the old quarries excavated from the slopes along the Seine, the Brasserie des Grottes in Boissise-la-Bertrand was opened by young beer-lovers in late 2019. Make the most of your visit with a drink at the outdoor bar!

From there, the boldest bikers can loop off to see the pretty tiled roofs and stone houses of the village of Seine-Port, which you can get to along a cycle path through the forest (D 50).

Brasserie des Grottes 1806, rue de seine à Boissise-la-Bertrand

Before arriving in Melun, one last leg to Dammarie-les-Lys is a must, where the ancient royal abbey of Notre-Dame-du-Lys dates all the way back to the 12th century, and the remains of its abbatial church still stand in a beautiful clearing. The Gothic carvings on the lonely walls are a sight to behold against the green surroundings!

You can’t come here without checking out the local cheese, either: the famous Brie de Melun. Stock up before you leave at Fromages & Cie.

Fromages & Cie, 9 Rue Carnot, 77000 Melun Tel : +33 (0)1 64 37 09 30

Originating on the Île Saint-Etienne, the Seine-et-Marne prefecture was a prosperous city in the Middle Ages, as shown by the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame

Which celebrated its thousandth anniversary in 2013! – and the fascinating Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Melun. On the right bank, don’t miss the childhood home of famous Renaissance humanist Jacques Amyot, and the town hall, an elegant legacy of the 17th-19th centuries.

Melun is also home to the Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale (Accueil Vélo-accredited). Explore its vast collection and trace the development of the military force from the 14th century all the way to the present day, reliving the history of France as you go…

From Melun, it’s less than 5 km – no more than a few pedal pushes – to the traditional Brie village of Maincy on the outskirts of town. It’s the perfect place for a stroll: there’s the central square, lined with lime trees and home to an old wash house surrounded by covered wooden walkways, the picturesque Ruelle du Ru following the stream that once powered the village’s mills, the stone walls of the Église Saint-Etienne dating all the way back to the 13th-17th centuries, the wooden bridge over the Almont river immortalised by Cézanne in his famous painting (which now hangs at the Musée d’Orsay) and more.

Climb back into the saddle to get to the jewel in Maincy’s crown: the Grand Siècle wonder that is the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Before heading off to explore, why not enjoy some lunch? For a quick bite on the go, check out the Kiosque Gourmand, or try the self-service Le Relais de l’Ecureuil.