Looking for something a little different when in St. Siméon?
La Ferté-Gaucher is a small commune really nearby and if you're up for a stroll, the walk there takes between an hour and a half to two hours from St. Siméon. If you take the valley road there are bound to be some cars, but it's a pretty walk.
The main attraction in La Ferté-Gaucher is the vélorail. This novel tourist activity is unique to the Île de France and uses an old abandoned railway line that has been given a new purpose. The track once connected Paris to Sézanne, cutting through the beautiful Grand Morin valley. The Val du Haut Morin is a protected natural area and now you can take pedal-powered bike-like vehicles along the tracks on a 13km adventure through the countryside.
The rail bikes have four wheels and are powered by the strength of the passengers. Each can accommodate five people, which includes the two on either side doing the peddling. The area is reasonably flat, so you won't find it too hard going, and you can take it in turns to pedal!
The vélorail provides a great opportunity for you to explore this beautiful, green area at your own pace and admire the flora and fauna of the surrounding fields as you pass. You'll travel through picturesque scenery and will pass an array of buildings pointing to the railway's history. You'll begin your adventure from the tourist office in the town; here a land train will take you to the vélorail station and starting point. Your ride will probably take you around three hours in total. Pack some food and drink and make a day of it. The return journey is along the same track but thanks to the fixed departure times, you won't run the risk of encountering fellow travellers en route.
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