People often come to Montargis “to see the canals”, and leave surprised to have filled two whole days. The town is compact, everything is walkable, and each visit leads to the next. Here is our selection, from the heart of town outwards.
1. The “Venice of the Gâtinais” walking circuit
This is THE walk. A signposted route of about 5 kilometres winds through the canals of the old centre, fed by the Loing and the Briare canal. You follow narrow quays, pass under wisteria, come across wash-houses and gardens that tumble into the water. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours at a stroll — and strolling is mandatory.
The best moment: early morning, when the water is a mirror and the town smells of fresh bread.
2. The 131 bridges and footbridges
Montargis claims 131 bridges and footbridges, from proper engineering works to little private crossings decked in geraniums. With children, turn the walk into a game: who will spot the most flowered footbridge? The most photogenic cluster around rue Raymond-Lallemant and boulevard Durzy.
3. The Girodet museum
Anne-Louis Girodet, Montargis-born star pupil of David, has his showcase on the banks of the Loing: a fully renovated museum in the hôtel Durzy and its romantic garden. Neoclassical paintings, sculptures by Henry de Triqueti, modern museography — a real surprise for a town this size.
4. Maison Mazet and its praslines
The prasline — a roasted almond coated in caramelised sugar — was born here in 1636, in the kitchens of the Duke of Plessis-Praslin. Maison Mazet keeps the original recipe alive in its historic shop on rue du Général-Leclerc. The smell alone is worth the visit. Our full gourmet article is here.
5. Sainte-Madeleine church
Gothic with a Renaissance choir, massive and endearing, it has watched over the centre since the 12th century. Look up at its bell tower from the quays: it is what signs the town's skyline.
6. The market
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the halls and squares come alive: Gâtinais market gardeners, cheesemongers, local honey, rotisseries. It is the best place to assemble a picnic to take to the water's edge — or to the garden of your rental.
7. A cruise on the Briare canal
From April to October, sightseeing cruises let you see the town from the water and pass through a lock — children love it. Book ahead in high season, weekend slots go fast.
8. Montargis castle
Perched on its rise, the royal castle — dear to Renée of France — dominates the rooftops. It now houses a school, but the climb offers the finest panorama over the town and its canals. Perfect at sunset.
9. Pâtis park
A great green lung between the Loing and the canal, with its bandstand, century-old plane trees and landscaped banks. On Sundays, this is where Montargis picnics.
10. Closiers lake
A leisure lake 15 minutes' walk from the centre: a 2.5 km loop, playgrounds, fishing, a guinguette in summer. The relaxation option between two visits.
11. Montargis state forest
More than 4,000 hectares of oak at the town's doorstep. Waymarked trails, star-shaped crossroads inherited from royal hunts, mushrooms in autumn. You can reach it by bike along the canal — detailed itinerary here.
12. The Gâtinais museum
In a former tannery on the canal, the archaeological collections tell the story of Gallo-Roman and medieval Gâtinais — the ideal companion to the Girodet museum.
13. In China's footsteps
Montargis is a major place of memory for contemporary China: Deng Xiaoping worked here in the 1920s alongside hundreds of Chinese worker-students. Follow the Chinese trail and its bronze plaques through the town. The full story is worth the detour.
14. The lanes of the old centre
Between place de la République and rue Dorée, a maze of medieval lanes, timber framing and hidden courtyards. Push on to place du Pâtis on a flea-market day.
15. Day trips nearby
- The Briare canal-bridge (35 min) — the Eiffel-workshop structure that carries the canal over the Loire. Spectacular.
- Ferrières-en-Gâtinais (15 min) — Carolingian abbey church and a village of character.
- Yèvre-le-Châtel (40 min) — one of France's Plus Beaux Villages, fortress and gardens.
- Gien and Sully-sur-Loire (45 min) — earthenware and an authentic Loire château.
Sleep at the centre of everything
Every one of these visits can be done on foot or by bike from the town centre. Our recommendation: a cosy 60 m² apartment steps from the station, with free parking, a small shared garden and two bikes provided. Rated 5.0/5 by its first guests.
See the apartment on Airbnb