Paris, Evry, Melun, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Moret-sur-Loing 27 April - 3 May Yes! We are on our way again, and this time going up river. We finally left Paris on Saturday 27th April, after nearly 7 months. Although we had enjoyed our time there, we were very keen to start our cruising season. View from our mooring at Moret-sur-Loing The Seine had been at the same height as the Port during the recent high water levels, now we had to go down to the Seine from the Port, but after that it was all Up (Up and Away). One of our first jobs was to change over our old Aussie flag, with a new Aussie flag and an All Blacks flag. We decided to do a couple of long days, as we'd travelled this river quite a few times before. So our first stop was Evry, where we stopped just past the ecluse. We had been worried about how fast we would be able to go, but we managed to average over 5kph which we were quite happy with. We estimated the current was running at between 2.5 and 3kpm. The next day we went to Melun where we planned to stay 2 nights. I had wanted to go to Vaux le Vicomte every since I read the story behind the chateau, but on previous occasions I had been worried about my sore feet. This time I had researched ahead of time and found that there were golf buggies that you could hire to see the gardens, and a wheelchair that you can borrow to see the ground floor. So we cycled there from Melun - about 8 kms. The Chateau was built by Nicolas Fouquet in the 17th century. He was superintendant of finances for Louis XIV. And he built this sumptuous chateau with amazing artworks and garden, and then hosted a spectacular party for Louis XIV and the court, only to be then arrested for embezzlement and losing his position and estates. Some say that the charges were trumped up due to the kings jealousy or anger at Fouquet for having a better chateau than he did. Some say, seeing the chateau confirmed to the king that Fouquet was living above his salary and therefore must be taking money from the royal purse. Anyway Fouquet ended up in prison for the rest of his life. Eventually the chateau came into the Vogüé family who decided to open it to the public to help with the upkeep. It is the largest private estate listed as a Historical Monument in France. It is quite lovely. When we arrived we immediately went and hired a golf buggy for an hour to tour around the gardens. As well as allowing me to see all the gardens, it was good fun too. The gardens were designed by Le Notre, who later did the gardens of Versailles. We then went inside. We were able to borrow what seemed to be their only wheelchair to see the ground floor, and then we saw upstairs on foot. After that I'd done enough walking so we had a nice lunch at their cafeteria before heading home. The next day we were going to cruise to Moret sur Loing, where we had a booking. Another barge, Nellie Dick, which was moored in Cergy when we were there and owned by Australians, was also moored at Melun. They were also going to Moret, but as the quay at Moret was already booked out, they asked if we minded them coming along side us an Moret, which was fine of course. We passed our regular mooring spot Samois-sur-Seine on the other side of the island. We also saw quite a bit of flotsam which had been washed down with the recent high water. Nellie Dick passed us just before the last lock, and so when we arrived we had to do a swap as we were quite a bit longer than them and so needed to be on the inside. In Moret we had a quiet day. It was a public holiday 1 May, and the river was closed, so it was a good chance for me to get some DBA board work done (I am now on the board), and process some photos. In the late afternoon we went over to Nellie Dick for drinks where Bill and Annie and their regular guests Bob and Jackie welcomed us. We had booked an additional day in Moret as we hoped to get some welding done, and Howard had a zoom meeting at noon. It rained almost the whole day so we were indoors most of the day, although I did take a couple of photos on the way home from my swim. In the evening we went out for dinner at La Palette, which had been recommended to us. It was a lovely meal and the dessert was a picture. After such a rainy day we were pleased that the next day was bright and sunny. It is a lovely cruise down the Loing back up to the Seine. The cruise on the Seine was only about 3 hours and fairly uninteresting except when we passed what looked to be a boat graveyard. That was our last leg on the Seine to Montereau-fault-Yonne, where we turned off into the Yonne to moor at the Haute Fluviale. On Saturday we will be heading up the Yonne.
2 Comments
Becky
3/5/2024 08:42:08 pm
Great read and photos of your journey up the Seine.
Reply
Karen Melchior
7/5/2024 12:05:44 am
Very evocative photos, Deb! The dessert at La Palette stands out! The variety of homes on the canal is impressive. I'll add Vaux le Vicomte to my must-see list! xx Karen
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWe are sharing stories about and travels on our barge Moondance. Archives
August 2023
|