Hour from Paris

Written with an eye for the unusual and containing invaluable practical details and maps, this idiosyncratic guide describes 20 destinations in the Ile de France, the fascinating yet little-known countryside around Paris. Better-known destinations include the chateaux of Chantilly and Rambouillet and Maurice Ravel's house in Montfort-l'Amaury, but the reader will also discover the Roman town of Senlis, the river-ports of Conflans-Ste Honorine and St Mammes, the Gothic church and medieval moats at Crecy-la-Chapelle, the old border-town and water-mills of Moret-sur-Loing which inspired the Impressionist painters, and the delightfully provincial atmosphere of Luzarches. Readers who are interested in discovering half-hidden chateaux and writers' country houses; walking, boating or dancing by the river; exploring old towns and country footpaths; and eating in family-run restaurants with 1950s decor and prices to match will find much here to treasure.Simms, Annabel is the author of 'Hour from Paris', published 2008 under ISBN 9781873429495 and ISBN 1873429495.