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 great. When we arrived, clouds had rolled in and rain seemed imminent. To make matters worse, it was a holiday, so most of the shops and restaurants were closed. Luckily, we found La Terrasse open and stopped there for some lovely traditional French food, along with a beautiful view of 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.

After we left Moret-sur-Loing, the weather started to clear. The clouds lifted, and blue skies appeared. Our cousin decided to stop in Barbizon, another charming village that was 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 an irresistible selection of pastries awaited. 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.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Through My Lens, and Mosaic Monday.

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Visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Following Van Gogh's Footsteps

Visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Following Van Gogh's Footsteps

As I mentioned in my previous post, our planned tour to Gordes and Roussillon was unexpectedly canceled. We quickly shifted gears and booked tickets on the high-speed train to Arles instead. On the morning of our excursion, however, we discovered our train would be delayed by more than two hours. Not wanting to waste a beautiful morning in Provence, we changed plans once again and hopped on a bus to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

One of the reasons we chose our hotel in Avignon was its convenient location between the train station and the central bus station. That decision paid off, allowing us to adjust our itinerary on the fly with minimal hassle. Since Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and several other Provençal towns were already on our list of places to explore, the last-minute change felt less like a setback and more like an unexpected opportunity.

Many of the Provençal towns host weekly markets on designated days, transforming their streets and town squares into lively open-air marketplaces. As luck would have it, we arrived in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on a Wednesday—the very day the town hosts its weekly market. It was the first thing that greeted us as we stepped off the bus, with stalls stretching through the town center and a vibrant atmosphere that immediately captivated us.

Sausage, anyone?

Love the lavender!

Olive plants and garlic

And of course, cheese :-)

After picking up some local herbs and lavender products, we followed the 1-kilometer Van Gogh Trail from the tourist office to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the former monastery-turned-asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent a year. During his stay, he created around 150 paintings inspired by the surrounding Provençal landscapes. Along the trail, reproductions of his artworks stand at the very spots where he painted, allowing visitors to see Saint-Rémy-de-Provence through the artist's eyes.

The beginning of the Van Gogh trail

Wheat Field with Cypress

Almond blossom

Olive trees

Approaching the monastery/asylum

Where he painted irises

Ticket booth

Pondering whether to buy a ticket for the asylum tour

Irises along the path to the asylum

Statue of Van Gogh

I was hesitant about touring the asylum. When I finally decided to go in, I found myself almost completely alone. Most visitors had already gone outside, leaving only another couple wandering the quiet hallways. The stillness gave the place an eerie atmosphere. When I reached Van Gogh's room, I only peeked inside—I couldn't bring myself to step in. Silly, I know, but the empty room and quiet corridors made me feel a little uneasy.

Hallway leading to Van Gogh's room

Outside Van Gogh's room

Van Goh's bedroom

His second room held his artwork

Reproduction of his paintings lined the walls

Looking at the asylum from the outside

the scenery from Van Gogh's room

We lucked out with a beautiful sunny spring day to visit Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It was more than just a stop on our Provence itinerary—it was a chance to step into Van Gogh’s world. From the peaceful landscapes to the halls of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the town offered a glimpse into the place that inspired some of his most memorable works and left us with a deeper appreciation for the artist and the beauty that surrounded him.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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