#18: [25-May-22]

#19: [22-May-22]

#17: [29-Aug-19]

#15: [14-Nov-15]

#14: [11-Jun-15]

#13: [22-Dec-14]

#11: [26-Apr-11]

#10: [21-Feb-11]

#9: [04-Jun-10]

#8: [10-Nov-06]

#12: [03-Dec-05]

#7: [11-Sep-05]

#5: [14-Feb-05]

#6: [02-Jan-05]

#4: [21-Nov-04]

#3: [28-Jul-04]

#2: [25-Apr-03]

#1: [07-Mar-01]

18-Aug-2018 -- This is the 4^th out of 5 reports reaching confluence points in France along the 49^th latitude during my 3-day bicycle trip. The story starts at 49°N 1°W and continues from 49°N 1°E.

On day #1 I had already achieved my goal of visiting 3 confluence points in one day. I had originally planned 3 days for that. What should I do the other 2 days? From 49°N 1°E, I had already visited the all neighbouring confluences. But I had not visited this confluence point east of Paris yet. But currently I was far west of Paris. Cycling through the traffic of Paris didn’t seem attractive to me. But then I found a route that circumvents Paris. Even though it adds 50 km on the odometer, I could make sure to stay out of the urban fringe of Paris.

It took me all day to reach this confluence point – cycling from one village to the next north of Paris. In the evening I reached the confluence area. I must say that this location of the confluence is unique: it is located on a tiny island of the river Marne. But there is no need to hire a boat: from a bridge that crosses the river, the island can be accessed easily. And above all: there is a footpath (tramped by confluence hunters?) that leads directly to the confluence point. I found the confluence point on the island with 3 m distance to the waterside. The confluence is heavily forested with beech trees. I had to do the confluence dance over fallen tree trunks. The island is most likely called Isles-les-Meldeuses, because the village directly south of the river has this name.

After the confluence visit I rushed to reach the town Château-Thierry 33 km to the east before nightfall.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance of bicycle parking: 75 m
• Time to walk to the CP: 5 min
• Time at the CP: 6:51 PM
• Measured height: 49 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 4 m
• Topography: slightly hilly
• Vegetation: beech jungle, tiny maple trees
• Weather: mostly sunny, 26° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Marne Island Confluence

The story finishes at 49°N 4°E.

On the northern riverside of the Marne River, very close to the water.