MELUN

Melun was a royal city until XVIth century. It accomodated also many famous characters such as Fouquet, Amyot, Pasteur, Cézanne.

HISTORICAL COURSE
IN ORDER TO MAKE REVIVE Its inheritance and to make it possible to its visitors to discover all its tourist and historical aspects, the city proposes a course: "Melun, town of History": it is about a pedestrian progress of 27 stages punctuated of plates affixed on the frontages of the most prestigious buildings of the city. The departure of the course trusted in front of the Saint-Sauveur priory on the island to finish with the museum of Vicomté. II comprises a principal circuit, of centre town, and three options which carry out towards more offset districts. To make this visit, the Office of Tourism gracefully places at the disposal of the visitors a folder of accompaniment comprising a complementary plan and explanations on each monument.

CHURCH OF SAINT-ASPLAIS
IN the HEART OF the DOWNTOWN AREA and of its malls, the Saint-Aspais church, classified historic building since 1914, was built between 1517 and 1555 (except the bell-tower and the frontage) according to plans' of Jean Felin to whom one also owes the Saint-Jacque tower in Paris. The plan of this monument is a true curiosity because of the absence of symmetry in its configuration what made many people say that it was "formless and baroque”

MUSEUM OF THE VISCOUNT
LOCATEd ON the ISLAND, in a residence of XVIth century, the museum shelters collections related to the melunian inheritance. The ground floor is devoted to the history of the city, residence of kings of France at the time of Capetians. At the first floor, a room presents the XVIIth century, in particular through two superb dead natures, that are masterpieces of the Flemish painter Jacob Van Hulsdonck, as well as a bronze of Barthélemy Prieur representing Neptune. A series of earthenware of Rubelles of last century supplements the collections of the museum. There are also workshops for children as well as the conferences and the temporary exhibitions that are organized regularly.The municipal museum of Melun (closed on Tuesday, public holidays and Sunday except first Sunday of each month).

BRIE OF MELUN
A STAY In MELUN would not be complete without a tasting of its famous cheese-making speciality. Tips of advices for well choosing his Brie of Melun: To the eye, its crust must be flowered and white, strewn with scratches or red or brown spots, its paste is yellow with gold that is quite homogeneous. To touch, your Brie will have a flexible, elastic paste and without softness; with the odor, a strong scent of soil will tickle the nose of the gluttonous!

TO VISIT
FOR THE DISCOVERY OF MELUN in family, the " discovery guide " is put to the access of young people! Mini historical guide, practical guide, animations and book of plays for a new ludic glance related to the richnesses of the inheritance. This guide gathers the towns of Barbizon, Fontainebleau, Meaux, Melun-Vaux the Viscount, Moret-sur-Loing and Provins.
It is available for free in the Offices of Tourism of the cities concerned or on request at the House of Tourism to the 01 60 39 60 39.

ALONG SEINE AROUND MELUN
MEE-SUR-SEINE HENRI CHAPU
ENTIRELY DEVOTED to the artist, eclectic sculptor of second half of the XIXTH century, the museum present the original plasters, drafts and models as well as the drawings and bronzes. The collection opens on works of young people which follow the funerary and decorative sculptures often personalized by female statues where the allegory overrides realism, and ends in monumental works and the busts. Museum Henri Chapu (open Saturday and Sunday afternoon). Information 01 64 39 52 73

DAMMARIE-LES-LYS: ROYAL ABBEY NOTRE DAME DU LYS
IN 1244, the MOTHER of Saint-Louis, Blanche de Castille, decides to raise a monastery in the plain of Lily .It is practically completed when in 1253, the queen dies out. According to its wishes, its heart is transported in the abbey-church.
Today, the superb mineral framework of abbey and the updated vestiges testify to this large forgotten Dammarie-les-Lys.

ECOMUSEUM OF SAVIGNY THE TREMPLE
The ECOMUSEUM, located in the farm of Coulevrain, present collections pointing out to the agricultural techniques of antan, as well as a conservatory orchard which cultivates many old varieties of apple trees of the east of the Island of France

SENART SQUARE
LAST FLORET of a new generation of shopping centres, Senart Square wants to be place of life and "shopping" based on quietude and conviviality. In addition to its 115 signs, the center proposes many services and animations. Information: 07 64 13 60 60

THE HOUSE OF INSECTS AT FARGEAU PONTHIERRY
The HOUSE OF the INSECTS proposes a course of entomological discovery through an original exhibition, video and interactive games, handling with a magnifying glass... for better understanding the fabulous world of the insects of the forest massif of Fontainebleau. Opening during the school holidays all the days except Tuesday from10 to12.30 and 15 to 19. Except school holidays Wednesdays and Saturdays from15 to 19 and Sundays and public holidays from 10 to12.30 and 15 to 19.