And so they are! Simms describes chateaux, abbeys, villages and other attractions, all within striking distance of the city . Better-known destinations include the chateaux of Chantilly and Rambouillet Maurice Ravel's house in Montfort-l'Amaury, but Simms also includes the Roman town of Senlis, the river-ports of Conflans-Ste Honorine and St Mammes, the Gothic church and medieval moats at Crecy-la-Chapelle, the old border-town and water-mills of Moret-sur-Loing which inspired the Impressionist painters, and the delightfully provincial atmosphere of Luzarches.  (FRN398, $23.95)