Seine Amble

When we were here a couple years ago, we walked the length of the Loing Canal from its start to past Nemours, doing couple-mile stretches as a time. Since we don’t have any canals nearby, this year we’re walking along the Seine, seeing what we can see and watching traffic on the river. It’s a very enjoyable way to see the country-side, and get a little exercise while we’re at it.

This amble took place over a few days, as we ran into rain the first day. (I might point out that this was really the first rain we’ve seen in five weeks, after a constant forecast of “nice today, but rain tomorrow”; everyday we heard that forecast and it was finally correct.)

So, without further ado (or blather), here are some pictures and c0mments from this amble…

Fontaine-le-Port City Hall (Mairie)

Fontaine-le-Port City Hall (Mairie)

Every town in France has a city hall, almost always a nice-looking building. This is for the small village of Fontaine-le-Port (population: about 1,000).

Main street of Fontaine-le-Port.

Main street of Fontaine-le-Port.

We found a path along the hills of Fontaine-le-Port and walked along it for a way, seeing beautiful views over the Seine and the country-side. Quite a few houses have this view…nice.

View from top of Fontaine-le-Port

View from top of Fontaine-le-Port

Always flowers.

Always flowers.

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In the neighboring town of Samoreau, we came upon this Grange Hall. Yes, the same Grange Hall as we find in the United States and, originally, for the same purpose: to support the farmers of the area. This one has been around a long time; I’d put its construction about 200 years ago. Today it’s used more as a community center.

The Grange Hall in Samoreau.

The Grange Hall in Samoreau.

Gotta love the original "Mini."

Gotta love the original “Mini.”

It’s always enjoyable to walk down a lane and see sights like this. This is a late-1800s house, likely. Not a real chateau, just a big house, but definitely beautiful. Beautiful estate, too.
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Looking across the Seine at affolantes in Samois-sur-Seine.
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We often see these reminders.
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Note the ages: 19 and 20, and the date, August 1944. This area was liberated by the Allies soon after; not everyone lived to see it.

The biggest surprise: this is in a corner of a huge yard (probably 10-12 acres) of a huge and beautiful house:

Mirage III

Mirage III

This plane came into the French Air Force (“Army of the Air” more accurately) in 1961. The house and land belong to a dentist. I have not been able to discover anything about just why he has a 50-year-old fighter jet in his backyard.

That’s it for this amble. We try to get out for a walk every day and so they’ll be more to follow.

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