Rare urban medieval castle in Île-de-France, the Château-Musée de Nemours reopened its doors this April with the exhibition "Paysages d'eau" ("Water Landscapes"), just a stone's throw from the Loing, its free-access gardens, and a Natura 2000–listed island. It’s the transportive discovery that’s well worth the detour.
Rising 25 metres above the Yvelines, Houdan's keep hides a history as solid as it is unusual. A survivor from the 12th century, this stone colossus weathered demolition by being transformed into a functional water tower for nearly a century. An architectural curiosity that today offers an exceptional panorama of the medieval town.
In Yvelines, at Maurepas, the remains of a 20-meter-high cylindrical keep stand as the sole remnant of a medieval fortress from the 12th century. Recognized as a historic monument since 1926, it still holds the secrets of a turbulent past. Here’s the story.
Just a Navigo ride away from Paris, in the Yvelines department, you'll discover the medieval town of Houdan, with its surprisingly well-preserved medieval remains, including a keep, ramparts and old inns.
