A Sunday in Moret-sur-Loing - Of Books, Bridges, and Stamps

A Sunday in Moret-sur-Loing: Of Books, Bridges, and Stamps

Moret-sur-Loing is a medieval masterpiece that has somehow managed to preserve its 12th-century soul. While it remains one of the most romantic destinations in the Île-de-France region, we discovered that its true magic lies in the quiet, local moments—specifically at the Léon Béruillard Cultural Center.

​The Morning Hunt: A Collector’s Dream
We dedicated a long weekend to the area, but Sunday was the centerpiece of our trip: the used book fair.
The cultural center was a treasure trove of the past, with tables meticulously displaying:

• Literature: Art books, historical novels, and classic fiction.
• Media: A vast array of DVDs, vinyl records, and even nostalgic audio cassettes.
• Visuals: Rare caricature books and vintage magazines that sparked immediate interest.

We spent the entire morning lost in the aisles, eventually walking away with a collection of books and DVDs to add to our own library.

Lunch by the WaterFor lunch,
we kept it simple and local. We took sandwiches to the park adjacent to the center, sitting by the beautiful Loing River (a tributary of the Seine). The view was spectacular—the sound of the "tiny waterfall" (the weir) providing the perfect soundtrack as we watched the water flow past the ancient stone bridge.

A Childhood Rediscovered
The highlight of the day, however, was tucked away at the very end of the book tables: the stamp collection.

There, I encountered a piece of my own history. An elderly man Mr.. KRUPNICKI Jean, wearing a warm and effortless smile, stood behind thousands of stamps from across the globe. While his collection spanned the world, the heart of it was dedicated to France and its overseas territories. Remarkably, he worked without the crutch of modern technology, relying only on a few well-worn French stamp catalogues.

We didn't just trade stamps; we traded childhood memories. We stood there chatting for what felt like hours, as if we were old friends reconnecting rather than strangers meeting over a stamp book. Before parting ways, we exchanged contact details—a promise to meet again and swap our duplicate collections.
Moret-sur-Loing gave us more than just a scenic view; it gave us a connection to the past and a new friend for the future.