Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin combines architectural and literary history with two circular walking routes of different lengths. The town centre lies on both sides of the Petit Morin; the hamlets are spread across slopes once covered in vineyards and across the plateaus. This gives visitors different ways to explore the area: learn about the history of the church, discover Pierre Mac Orlan’s literary legacy, or compare the routes by distance and walking time.
The Petit Morin and circular walking routes
The Circuit Rando N°1 is six kilometres long and classified as an easy walk. The stated duration is about two hours. Its blue-and-yellow markings and a somewhat steep 200-metre climb provide additional guidance when planning; check the markings locally before setting off. Along Chemin des Marois, the route passes through a very wet area. Conditions there can vary depending on the season.
A shorter option is the Boucle des sentes du bourg: this easy circular route is three kilometres long and takes about 45 minutes. It starts at the town-centre car park, is marked with numbered signs and crosses the Petit Morin via a footbridge. The two routes described by the municipality can therefore be distinguished mainly by the time and distance involved: about 45 minutes for the Boucle des sentes du bourg, compared with around two hours for the Circuit Rando N°1. Both times are approximate; the longer route also includes the climb and wet area described above.
The area around the town centre also helps put the landscape into context. The hamlets are situated on slopes once covered in vineyards and on the plateaus, along the boundaries with Saâcy-sur-Marne, Jouarre, Doue and St-Ouen. Viticulture is part of the area’s past landscape history. Until the interwar period, livestock farming and the production of Brie were among the main activities in Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin.
Church, literature and local history
The Église Saint-Cyr et Sainte-Julitte has been protected as a Monument historique under a listing order dated 2 February 1990. Its main construction phases fall in the last quarter of the 12th century, the first quarter of the 13th century and the 16th century. The church can therefore be viewed through several periods of construction rather than being assigned to a single date of origin.
The Musée départemental de la Seine-et-Marne documents the history and development of society in the north of the département. It also preserves and presents the work of Pierre Mac Orlan and his connection with Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin. The Maison de Pierre Mac Orlan is in the hamlet of Archets. Its intimate presentation, focused on the senses, evokes the writer’s everyday surroundings. The restored house preserves narrow staircases, gardens, wall colours and tapestries, as well as the arrangement of the furniture and personal belongings. It bears the “Maisons des Illustres” label.
Another perspective on local cultural history can be found at the Musée des pays de Seine-et-Marne. Its features include a garden with plants traditionally grown in the département, including ten varieties of willow, as well as an educational garden. Together with the literary connection of the Maison and the church’s different construction phases, this offers several ways to explore the region’s history.
Discover more destinations: Vert-Saint-Denis, Le Mesnil-Amelot, Champagne-Sur-Seine, Veneux-les-Sablons, Saint-Martin-du-Boschet, Coulommiers, Tancrou, Savigny-Le-Temple.
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
