Heritage Days 2023: medieval walk and visit to Beaumont-sur-Oise Castle (95)

Are you ready to rediscover Paris Region's superb heritage during the 40th Journées du Patrimoine? Across the Île-de-France region, explore castles, historic monuments, museums and other exceptional sites, and learn from enthusiasts. Take advantage of free events and guided tours, particularly in Val-d'Oise, where the Château de Beaumont-sur-Oise, a vestige of the Middle Ages, awaits you from September 16 to 17, 2023.

But before you visit, let's take a look at the castle's history: the 7th century marked the first turning point in the evolution of this Val-d'Oise building. It was at this time that construction began on its great stone keep (37 m high). Higher than the bell tower ofSaint-Laurent church (32 m), it was used to store food on the first floor, and to house the lord's apartments upstairs. In 1223, the last Count of Beaumont died without issue, and the château was bought by King Louis VIII, thus becoming part of the royal domain.

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In 1226, Louis IX, the future Saint Louis, took up residence at the château and had the Abbey of Royaumont built. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the château was subjected to numerous assaults, destructions and reconstructions: the Hundred Years' War, sieges by the English, French, Burgundians and Armagnacs. The castle and town were occupied by the English between 1420 and 1435. The 18th century saw the château's last major transformation.

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With the advent of artillery, weapons became increasingly powerful, and the castle's defensive structure had to be reinforced. The height of the keep was reduced from 37 meters to around 5 meters. The castle became an artillery stronghold. The château then lost its grandeur and was abandoned in 1815.

Journées du Patrimoine 2023: discover the most beautiful châteaux in Paris and the Île-de-France region
The Journées du Patrimoine 2023 is also an opportunity to visit the châteaux of the Île-de-France region, often free of charge! Kings and queens, princes, emperors, nobles of all kinds... Follow in the footsteps of these great figures of French history and discover their magnificent homes, on September 16 and 17, 2023. [Read more]

The 2023 Heritage Days program