We're off to discover the port of Valvins-les-Bains, nestled between the Fontainebleau forest and the tranquil banks of the Seine in the Seine-et-Marne region. Since its inauguration in April 2025, this emblematic site has been enjoying a second lease of life, thanks to a complete renovation financed by the Pays de Fontainebleau conurbation.
No longer just a marina, Valvins is now a cultural and bucolic stopover for visitors and locals alike. It's a real return to basics for a place once known as Valvins-les-Bains, when Parisians came here to bathe.
Drive along the banks of the Seine, between the forest of Fontainebleau and charming villages, and you'll come across this harbor in the middle of nature. The stated aim? To make it a tourist gateway to the region, open to both pleasure boaters and curious visitors on foot or by bike. A new harbourmaster's office and secure, modernized pontoons welcome visitors. Boaters can now dock at a visitor pontoon accessible 24 hours a day by remote payment, and stroll around in a peaceful setting where they can take their time to contemplate the river.
As soon as we arrive, we notice the brand-new pontoons, renamed after artists who left their mark on the region, such as Mallarmé, Whistler or Morisot. This is one of the charming details of this metamorphosis: cultural panels everywhere tell the story of this port, once essential for transporting sandstone from the forest to Paris, then a popular holiday resort in the 19th century. It's easy to imagine the artistic conversations that took place on the water's edge, in the special light that inspired Debussy and Valéry.
Strolling along the river, you'll discover some great ideas for a day out of Paris. A cycle path leads to Valvins via the Scandibérique - perfect for planning a two-wheeled getaway between nature and heritage. The site is lined with picnic tables, large trees offering shade, and landscaped walks along the Seine. Nearby, you can explore the famous "Affolantes", picturesque 19th-century residences that bear witness to a certain art of living.
On the cultural front, the Musée Stéphane Mallarmé in Vulaines-sur-Seine, reopened until July 14, 2025, is well worth a visit. The poet's former home features an exhibition dedicated to his relationship with nature and the Seine, entitled Entre fleuve et fleurs. A lovely poetic pause to complement the stroll. After some refurbishment, it should be accessible to us again.
The project doesn't stop there: the agglomeration plans to relaunch nautical activities, notably with the Yachting Club du Pays de Fontainebleau, and perhaps even, in time, allow bathing in the Seine, as in the past. Plans are underway for a floating swimming pool or barge, water quality permitting. A story to be followed, which could well return Valvins to its original function.
This redeveloped port, accessible by train or car from Paris, restores the prestige of a place steeped in history. This redevelopment is part of a long river history. The port of Valvins was used as early as the 17th century to transport sandstone blocks from Fontainebleau to the capital. In the 19th century, it became a fashionable resort, popular for bathing, boating and al fresco dining.
It was at this time that it took on the name Valvins-les-Bains, a nod to its appeal to Parisians in search of freshness and elegance. The arrival of the train in 1849 in Fontainebleau, then in Samois, amplified the phenomenon. The Russian aristocracy, the court of Napoleon III and numerous artists settled in the region, attracted by the beauty of the landscape and the gentle way of life by the water.
Both a starting point for cultural discoveries and a haven of relaxation, Valvins-les-Bains offers a great idea for a getaway, at the crossroads of art, nature and memory. A gentle, inspired way to rediscover the banks of the Seine, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Location
Port of Valvins-les-bains
Rue du Port de Valvins
77210 Avon
Prices
Free
