Mai Thai Wanderings: A Side Trip from Paris: Moret-sur-Loing

September 18, 2026

A Side Trip from Paris: Moret-sur-Loing

In recent years, our Parisian cousin has taken to exploring the countryside beyond Paris, discovering charming towns and villages just a short drive from the city. When we visited her in early May, she suggested a day trip to Moret-sur-Loing, a beautiful medieval town about an hour from Paris.

The moment we parked and began wandering through the town, we had a strange sense of déjà vu. The cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, and picturesque setting all seemed oddly familiar. As we strolled along, we kept looking around, trying to figure out where we had seen this place before.

Then it suddenly clicked—we had seen Moret-sur-Loing on YouTube!

We had been following a young woman’s channel featuring charming places to explore in the countryside around Paris. As we wandered through the town, we began recognizing the streets and scenery from one of her videos. What a sweet bit of serendipity—to discover that a place we had once watched on a screen had somehow found its way onto our own travel itinerary.

Historic mill and cascading weir (low dam) on the Loing River

Unfortunately, our timing wasn’t quite ideal. When we arrived, clouds had rolled in and threatened rain. To make matters worse, it was a holiday, and most of the shops and restaurants were closed. Fortunately, we found La Terrasse was open, so we stopped there for lunch and enjoyed a lovely view overlooking the Loing River.

How could we possibly pass up the chance to order pâté and escargot?

We ordered several entrées, all served with French fries, including this sausage entrée.

By the time we left Moret-sur-Loing, the clouds had lifted and blue skies had finally appeared. With the sun shining, we headed to another charming village, Barbizon, once home to a community of painters. Mosaic artworks dot the village, adorning its stone walls and adding colorful touches to its picturesque streets, much like the artistic touches along Van Gogh Way in Saint-Rémy.

After all that walking, we were more than ready for a break, so we ducked into this cozy Japanese-style pâtisserie, where the irresistible pastries were too tempting to pass up. It was the perfect spot for a coffee break and a chance to rest our weary feet.

And the pastries? Absolutely amazing!

Thanks to our cousin, we were lucky to discover this quieter side of Paris. Away from the crowds, we could leisurely stroll, soak in the atmosphere, and experience the slower, more authentic charm of the French countryside.