Craving wide-open spaces, deep dives into history and irresistible culinary pleasures? Then you’ll love Seine-et-Marne! Less than an hour from Paris, this vast département of Île-de-France brings together unique cultural sites, unspoilt nature tailor-made for outdoor adventures, and specialties that will melt in your mouth.

Culture & Heritage: In Seine-et-Marne, history is very much alive. Start at the Château and park of Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that plunges you into eight centuries of royal life before inviting you to wander its neighbouring forest, itself a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Just a few kilometres away, the medieval town of Provins, ringed by impressive ramparts, whisks you straight back to the days of the great Champagne fairs. Craving a dose of contemporary magic? Make for Marne-la-Vallée and Disneyland Paris, then step into the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux or the Musée de Préhistoire in Nemours—a whole concentrate of emotions in one département.

Nature: More than 3,500 km of way-marked trails criss-cross Briard plains, the meanders of the Seine and the sandstone boulders of the Forest of Fontainebleau, a legendary spot boasting over 20,000 bouldering routes that challenge climbers from across the globe. Hop on a bike to follow the Scandibérique—nearly 60 km of the “Scandi 77” section along the Seine and the Loing—or pick one of the cycle loops twisting between villages, canals and poppy fields. Prefer the water? Glide by canoe on the Loing, picnic on the banks of the Grand Morin, then fill your lungs with fresh air in the Parc naturel régional du Gâtinais français: slow living barely an hour from Paris.

Flavours: Seine-et-Marne indulges food lovers with its PDO cheeses—Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun—the famed Provins rose confit and the golden honey of the Gâtinais. For a truly exceptional meal, reserve a table at one of the four Michelin-starred restaurants: L’Axel in Fontainebleau, Auberge de la Brie in Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames, La Vieille Auberge in Villeneuve-le-Comte, and, as of the 2025 edition, the newly crowned Auberge Sauvage in Servon. Pair it all with a glass of farmhouse cider or a local craft beer and you’ll quickly see why Seine-et-Marne captivates gourmets and lovers of the great outdoors alike.