Samois-sur-Seine
Samois-sur-Seine, in the Seine-et-Marne department of Île-de-France, is a scenic village along the Seine’s left bank, near Fontainebleau Forest. It lies about 14 km from Melun and 8 km from Fontainebleau, with the Seine River and forest shaping its history and culture.
The village’s history includes a leprosy hospital built in the 12th century by King Louis VII after the Crusades. The site was later converted into a forest estate. For centuries, Samois-sur-Seine has been a haven for artists, musicians, and writers, including the jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who lived here and inspired the famous Django Reinhardt Festival, held on Île du Berceau from 1983 to 2015.
Early inhabitants valued the protection offered by the river’s islands, such as Île aux Barbiers and Île de Thérouenne, making Samois a defensible location. Bridges across the Seine were vital for trade and travel. A Roman stone bridge, possibly built under Emperor Constance Chlorus, facilitated movement, later rebuilt in the 12th century. The Valvins Bridge, completed in 1825, has been rebuilt several times due to war and modern needs.
Today, Samois includes the picturesque Haut-Samois village center, Bas-Samois along the Seine, and nearby hamlets like Les Plâtreries. The historic port supported local trade, sending wood and sandstone to Paris. Prominent people, including the Dreyfus defender Fernand Labori, as well as artists like Claude Debussy and writers like Patricia Highsmith, lived here. Samois-sur-Seine, with its heritage and vibrant arts community, remains a cherished place in Île-de-France.