Gâtinais

Gâtinais is a historical and geographic region in central France. It lies mainly in the southern part of the Île-de-France region and extends into the northern part of Centre-Val de Loire, spanning parts of the Loiret and Seine-et-Marne departments. The name derives from the region’s historic landscape and settlements, and its identity is tied to the rural and wooded character of the area.

Geographically, the Gâtinais features a sandstone-plateau landscape with rolling hills and valleys carved by rivers such as the Loing. The region presents a mosaic of farmland, pastures and forests, with small towns clustered along waterways and historic routes. The climate is temperate with oceanic influence, contributing to agricultural activities including cereals, pasture and fruit trees.

Historically, the Gâtinais has long been part of the broader Paris Basin’s rural hinterland, with settlements organized around rivers and markets. In modern administration it is not an official administrative unit but is recognized as a distinct natural and cultural landscape.

Notable towns associated with the Gâtinais include Montargis, Nemours and Milly-la-Forêt, which exemplify the region’s combination of historic centers, riverside scenery and wooded hills. The area surrounds famous forestlands such as the nearby Fontainebleau area and offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and rural tourism.