Harvest Week
This typically Fall week is organized at the perfect time of year, when country life is never more beautiful or more suggestive. The leaves are glorious shades of red, rust and yellow. The air has the cool nip of “almost” winter and the forest echoes with the sounds of hunting horns. It is also at this time of the year that the open air markets buzz with activity and the anticipation of the holidays. The horse back rides down tree-leafed lanes, are even more dramatic! You can’t help but breathe in the sure glory of all that life has to offer.
The activities planned are therefore related to your experiencing Fall in Ile de France:
Details of Fontainebleau forest in the Fall :
For walks and bike rides along the tree-lined country roads, we would suggest Cournces and Fleury-en-Bière. Lunch could be acquisitions from the local markets-the special cheeses from Coulommiers and the hens from Houdan. The market, Milly-La-Forêt, has its ancient “balles”-which are unique covered market halls that were built of oak and chestnut in 1479.
You can take afternoon rides on the “peniches” or river barges that meander along the banks of theLater in the afternoon, you can make, a quick stop at the local chocolate factory at Nemours-Chocolaterie de Lis, where poppies are used for liqueurs and candies.
Boat rides in Moret sur Loing are also lots of fun. They provide a view of the village walls, rooftops and church tower.
A real treat is the "Eagles of the Rampart Show" in Provins, which presents birds of prey in free flight with flaconers dressed in medieval costumes. Wolves have been added as well to enhance the program.
You can take in an afternoon concert in the local churches.
You can visit the Moulin de Chiennat (near Provins) an ancient mill house of the 14th century. It is surrounded by water on three sides. It is deep in open countryside with exotic birds and animals.
Take a trip to the Musée Ganne in Barbizon, the tiny museum and preferred Bistro of the artists. The paintings on many of the upstairs walls are those of the Barbizon school.
Au
Revoir cocktail is reserved for
the last evening.