Did you know the origins of barley sugar? It was invented in 1638 by Benedictine nuns, in the Notre-Dame-des-Anges priory in Moret-sur-Loing. This makes it France's oldest sweet.

The Barley Sugar Museum tells the story of this 100% natural sweet, presents the tools needed for producing it, and shows a nun at work. Visitors learn that barley sugar was a delicacy adored by Napoleon and many other famous people, such as Sarah Bernhardt, who used it to warm up her voice. The museum showcases the ancestral knowledge that has delighted many a palate for nearly 400 years.

But don't think that a visit to the Moret-sur-Loing museum will be your chance to discover the recipe for barley sugar! The secret remains well-guarded, and has been transmitted since its creation from one nun to another, then to a master confectioner. That shouldn't stop you in delighting in it, since there is a store devoted to barley sugar directly opposite the village church.