Wednesday 8 July 2026

As today is our last day in Barbizon, we decided to take a little drive in our air conditioned car to a couple of nearby villages on the banks of the Seine and the Loing rivers.

Samois-sur-Seine is a town in Île-de-France that has managed to retain a certain charm. It stretches for more than six kilometres along the Seine, on the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest. Here we had coffee on the edge of the village square at Maison Sumac, a cute little café with some preserves and nicknacks for sale. It was 42C in the car and 36C outside according to the signs on the pharmacy. The Seine had plenty of water and large shady plane trees along the banks. Plus a sign saying no swimming.

Then a short drive to Moret-sur-Loing a picturesque, medieval walled town in Seine-et-Marne, France, located 65 km southeast of Paris. Famous for its 11th-century fortifications, half-timbered houses, and Loing river views, we had booked Le Jardin des Lys restaurant for a long lunch. This is a really beautiful town with plenty of scantily clad twenty somethings swimming in the Loing under the bridge.

Our choice, for 35€ was the Prix Fixe formula dejeuner. An Aperol Spritz and gin and tonic on the terrace was reminiscent of home, except for the lack of humidity. There were other brave French diners too. Lady P opted for a Poke bowl of octopus, pickled ginger, quinoa, peas, tomatoes and baby lettuce. Not trad French. A bit Australian/Asian fusion really. Very nice she says. Her Atlantic salmon came with patate douce, ratatouille, and a Colombo sauce (that’s a light curry). A bit out there but enjoyable.

Flashy’s two courses were tartare du boeuf and a fromage selection. The tartare was excellent. A hint of soya sauce in there somewhere and a tuna mayonnaise and egg yolk. Delicious. A half bottle of nicely chilled Sancerre went the distance. He chose, Rochefort, Munster, Brie, Cheval and Tome. Small slivers just the right amount.

Full as a Wellington boot, we walked off lunch with a little stroll around the town, before a short drive back home for a siesta, nougat glace and GnT’s in that order.

Lady P's Aperol
Poke Bowl.
Salmon
Tartare du Boeuf.
Cheese selection
Moret-sur-Loing
Swimming in La Loing
Well preserved house.


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