Waterways, bridges and a rich cultural history give Montargis several distinct ways to experience the city on a short trip. The Canal de Briare, the Loing and numerous other waterways cross the city; 132 bridges and footbridges connect the streets they run through. There are also museums, churches, a historic tanning tradition and a local sweet whose recipe dates back to 1636. When planning your trip, consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.
Art, churches and city history
The Musée Girodet houses the most extensive collection documenting the career and life of the painter Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson. He was born in Montargis in 1767, so the museum and the city are directly linked through his biography. The Musée Historique de l’Amitié Franco-Chinoise is open to the public; check current opening hours before visiting.
Architecture and stained glass come together at the Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine: the church houses one of the most complete collections of works by 19th-century French stained-glass artists. Its 23-metre-high nave and side aisles dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries also reflect the building’s long architectural development. The Jardin des Roses is beside the church. Chinese, Loiret and Orléans roses grow there alongside perennials and shrubs; the planting may change as new plants are introduced.
The Château Royal de Montargis also has a history stretching back almost 900 years. A guided tour may include underground areas such as cellars and the lower chapel. Check current tour arrangements before your trip. Below the château lies the Quartier des Tanneurs, one of the city’s oldest districts. The Musée du cuir et des tanneurs is housed in a 16th-century half-timbered building. Its exhibits cover topics ranging from rawhide production in tanneries to leather goods and the use of leather in the army, hunting, shoemaking and clothing.
Bridges, discovery trails and boat trips
To explore the history of Montargis’s bridges, the city created the Circuit des Ponts. The route takes visitors to 17 bridges and introduces their architecture and history. Curiocity offers a different focus: this two-hour discovery trail uses clues to guide visitors to places, monuments, districts and gardens. The two experiences differ not only in duration but also in approach: one focuses on bridges, while the other explores a variety of places around the city. Check the latest visitor information for the trails in advance.
If you would like to experience Montargis from the water, compare the ZIA’s options. A two-hour narrated round trip runs from Montargis to Amilly along the Canal de Briare. Another two-hour round trip connects Montargis with Conflans-sur-Loing and focuses on the natural and cultural heritage along the water. Services are seasonal, so check which trip is available on your travel dates.
Prasline and pastry
Maison Mazet makes Prasline in Montargis: a small caramelised almond made using the original recipe, created in 1636 by the steward of the Duke of Praslin. The traditional production method has been continued in Montargis unchanged for centuries, ever since its creation. This distinctive local speciality adds a craft dimension to the city’s cultural and urban history.
The Factorie Mazet offers two-hour pastry-making classes. Participants make pastries and learn techniques for using Mazet praline products. If you would like to include a class in your plans, check the latest dates and availability. This makes it easy to choose between Montargis’s different highlights—from art and the history of tanning to bridges, waterways and pastry-making—according to your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Treilles-en-Gâtinais, Château-Renard, Augerville-La-Rivière, Beauchamps, Donnery, Lorcy, Patay, Nogent-Sur-Vernisson.
For the broader travel overview: Loiret.
