The Recreation Route east of Paris: Itineraries and tourism destinations at the turn of the 20th century
At the end of the 19th century, weekly touring excursions by train, bicycle, car, and even by canoe, were becoming popular eastward, along the Marne. The “Touring Club de France” and the “Canoe Club de France”, two Paris-based organizations established to promote touring, were active in the development of the fifty or so kilometer long Recreation Route between Paris and Meaux. The two clubs worked to upgrade the region and develop infrastructures to meet the needs of touring visitors. Rail and road access, a range of accommodation options and opportunities for leisure activities would seem to have been key factors in the planning for regional tourism destinations. Three areas in particular stand out: Nogent-sur Marne, the town of Lagny-sur-Marne and the city of Meaux. Tourism and travel guides contributed to the ascendancy of these destinations.