Our first stop out of Paris was to Barbizon, located by the Fontainebleau Forest, an artist’s village. In 1827, Jean-Baptiste Corot found his way here – paving the way for other landscape and animal painters like Theodore Rousseau arriving, wanting to ‘paint from nature’. It’s a picturesque little village with boutique shops, a mosaic-adorned and planter-box streetscape; and a little church with colourful stained glass  of fishes and sheafs of wheat. Delightful wander over a few hours.

Samois-sur-Seine was next – a tiny village by the Seine, where you can sit and sip a glass of your choice by the water, contemplate the barges floating past. In June, the village hosts the Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival bringing together artists of international renown.

Montargis, although quite modern, retains a medieval charm and due to its numerous canals and bridges (131), is described as the “Venice of the Gatinais region”. Pralines, the crunchy confection made from almonds and sugar, were first made here during the reign of Louis X111 and the original shop is still in business on Place Mirabeau. We had a lovely stroll by the canals.

We arrived in Orleans in the evening, just in time for dinner and checked out the many restaurant offerings around Place Martroi. The statue of Jean of Arc in the middle of the square, dominating the vista from every angle. An incredible storm happened as we were supping, with thunder and lightening, increasing the humidity but dropping the temperature. Quite dramatic.