에스만 최고의 워킹 & 하이킹 경로

Crossed by the Orvanne. Picturesque bridges and wash houses.

Flagy is an old fortified place. The village was built in the 12th century by order of Louis VII in 1130. On the edge of a royal domain, it is built according to a rectangular plan, as shown by the seven parallel streets leading to the river crossed by seven bridges or gateways. The course of the Orvanne has been diverted and developed to supply the village with water. The mill, built in the 13th century, still exists and is a good representation of the traditional regional architecture of the time. Besides the river, seven wells, one in each of the parallel streets, provided drinking water. There are still several of them, which were used until 1960. On Heritage Day, you can visit two underground entrances. A network of underground passages connected the food cellars which also served as refuges during invasions of the village by enemies. One can see in one of the underground passages some remains of ancient objects. A curiosity on the roof of the church, the weather vane has two symbols: a rooster, the usual symbol, and a pig's head, another symbol, a lasting memory of a local legend, transmitted orally. During the Hundred Years War, the terrible Black Death reached many villages in Île-de-France. Affected by the epidemic, the inhabitants of a neighboring village came to seek help in Flagy, where there was a hospital (Hôtel-Dieu). But the Flagiens energetically refused entry into the village to the sick. The poor people had to look elsewhere for a better welcome. It is said that the bishop, outraged by this attitude of refusal, this lack of compassion, inflicted a punishment on the Flagians. Since then a weather vane in the shape of a pig's head has been turning according to the winds on the roof of the church. Recently rediscovered in the "Favorite Village of the French" 2023, Flagy may not have won the crown, but remains a nice heritage to discover.

Ornithological reserve near the Yonne, ideal place for birds due to its many natural habitats (ponds, riparian forests, marshes, orchid lawns, etc.). During the different seasons you can observe up to 1220 different species of birds, some migratory, others nesting. Some examples of species you may see there are kingfishers, gray herons, European bullfinch and reed bunting.

The Yonne is one of the great rivers of northern France and one of the main tributaries of the Seine. Here we are slightly downstream from the ornithological reserve, where it is good to stop to observe the ball of migratory birds.

Here you can enjoy an incredible view of the Seine and the bridge. Admire how the river, the greenery and the city come together. The statue of Napoleon watches over the Sentier de la Seine, a magnificent route that runs along one of the main French rivers.

Observatory to contemplate the birds.

Here we enjoy an incredible view of the Seine and the bridge. Admire how the river, the greenery and the city come together. The statue of Napoleon watches over the route of a hike called “In the footsteps of Napoleon”. It is a circuit located in Forges in Seine-et-Marne (77). It is partly juxtaposed with the GR 2, the Seine Trail.

Do not hesitate to leave the main road a little to make a small detour in the streets of this borough classified among the villages of character of Seine et Marne. The old houses line the streets organized in quadrilaterals around the church square, the old washhouse and a 12th century mill.