The Marais de Cercanceaux is located in Souppes-sur-Loing and is a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) covering more than 29 hectares, managed by the Département. Its landscape includes marshes, wet meadows, the banks of the Loing and woodland. The Cercanceaux area also includes an ornithological observatory. These varied landscape features shape the site’s focus on nature.
Wetlands and paths
A nature walk through the Marais is about 5.5 kilometres long. A description published in April 2026 gives the Cercanceaux loop as six kilometres. The loop links the Marais de Cercanceaux with the Sablière de Cercanceaux and passes through marshland, alongside a body of water, and through wet meadows with horses. The two routes are similar in length but follow different itineraries: the walk is within the Marais, while the loop connects two areas.
The Balade Branchée between the Marais and the sand quarry has a different focus. Through the story of the medieval monk Hugues, who is associated with Souppes-sur-Loing, it explores the history of the sites and their ecological features. Hugues serves as the narrative link between local history and nature topics.
Cycling along the Loing
The cycle path along the Canal du Loing follows a towpath that is mostly paved. The Scandibérique covers a different geographical scale: in southern Seine-et-Marne, it runs for almost 60 kilometres along the Seine and the Loing, reaching Souppes-sur-Loing. The canal cycle path is notable for the surface of its towpath, while the Scandibérique is defined by its regional route. This means that a specific path along the Canal du Loing and a longer route along the two rivers can be considered as distinct cycling options.
Churches and abbey history
The Eglise Saint Clair is a Gothic church. It houses an altarpiece protected as a Monument historique, comprising eleven carved and polychrome—that is, multicoloured—panels depicting scenes from the Passion. For those interested in art and architecture, both the Gothic church building and this specific protected artwork are of interest.
The Abbaye Royale Notre Dame de Cercanceaux is a Cistercian abbey founded in 1181. The two cultural topics therefore have different historical focuses: the Eglise Saint Clair is notable for its architecture and altarpiece, while the abbey is notable for its founding history. As you explore, you can distinguish between a specific work of religious art and the history of a Cistercian abbey.
Getting your bearings on arrival
The Base de Loisirs de Souppes-sur-Loing is a ten-minute walk from the railway station. This is a specific walking time to a leisure centre, offering a different planning reference from the distances of the nature and cycling routes. If you use the station as your arrival point, you can take this time into account when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Champeaux, Vaires-Sur-Marne, Saint-Mard, Champs-Sur-Marne, Machault, Isles-Lès-Villenoy, Le Châtelet-En-Brie, Villiers-Sur-Morin
Return to the main travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
