Jean-François Millet museum The Jean-François Millet museum: the house is made up of the workshop, the dining room and the large main room which was used by the local contemporary painters for their permanent exhibition. Open everyday from 9:30 am to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. except on Tuesdays.
Barbizon school museum The Barbizon school museum is installed behind the War Memorial in the old barn, which was used by Theodore Rousseau as a workshop. The small church adjacent to the building came later. There you will find documents on the Old Barbizon and an exhibition of a few of Rousseau's original masterpieces, engravings from Diaz, Troyon, Charles Jacques, etc Open everyday except Tuesdays from 10 am to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
MILLY-LA-FORET Milly-la-Forêt gathered around its covered market is the starting place for hikes in the "Trois-Pignons" and "Coquibus" forests. Milly, one of the birthplaces for the growing of medicinal plants in France - of which a specialty is still famous, the peppered mint - mainly produces aromatic herbs, lily of the valley, etc This town has been inhabited for thousand of years, the markets were very important (40 000 sheep, 600 cows). Charles VII, Louis XI, François 1er, Henry IV and Bonaparte stayed there while on a leave from the Brienne school. The covered market built by the Admiral Greville on the main square, dates back to 1479. They are made from chestnut and oak wood to keep the spiders away. (leave Milly-la-Forêt on the D 948, direction Corbeil). In the 12th century the Saint-Blaise-des-Simples chapel was part of the Saint-Blaise leprosarium built to care for the lepers. Cocteau decorated the building in 1959 with large drawings picturing above the altar, a very beautiful Christ with a thorn crown and a great frescoe picturing the resurrection of Christ. The chapel has a bust of the poet-academician worked by the German sculptor Arno Brecker and his tomb. (paying visit). (Leave Milly-la-Forêt on the D 948, direction Corbeil).
THE ART GLASSWORKS OF NOISY-SUR-ECOLE In a green setting on the banks of l'ecole, the art glassworks of Soisy-sur-Ecole invite you to explore a magical material whose sparkling colors and varied shapes don't stop astonishing us. You will discover the glasswork through the exhibitions and the visit of the workshops as well as the thousand year old tools still used today for this wonderful art. From the material in fusion to the piece that will decorate the tables, this visit will let you get a glimpse of all the aspects of the art glasswork. Open everyday except Monday and Tuesday mornings. Store and Workshop open from 9 am to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 6 p.m. (Holidays: open from 2:30 to 6:30)
THE CHATEAU DE COURANCES This elegant 16th century building built by Gilles Le Breton, for Cosme Clausse, finance secretary for Henri II, was made into a perfect example of the Louis XIII style in the 17th century. The staircase on the entrance front, added in the last century is an imitation of the famous staircase of the Fontainebleau "Fer à Cheval". The gorgeous park surrounding the château is attributed to André Le Nôtre. The alleys and water pieces make up a unique setting enhanced by a recent small Japanese garden, which has beautiful colors in the fall. The château has belonged for a long time to the Ganay family. Open April through October on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
THE CHATEAUX DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE This château built by Fouquet remains a masterpiece of the 17th century. It is erected on a terrace surrounded by trenches, making a base above the gardens. The whole is typical of the first period of Louis XIV's architecture. The "Le Nôtre" gardens restored by Mr. Sommier, are especially valued for their perspectives. They have several "effects", especially water mirrors invisible from the château. Open from April to October from 10 am to 6 p.m. On reservation from November to March.