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5 Magnificent Medieval Villages to Visit Near Paris

undefined undefined 6 septembre 2023 undefined 11h00

undefined undefined 18 mai 2024 undefined 13h41

The Editor

© Provins - Shutterstock - Jerome LABOUYRIE

The back-to-school season may already be behind us, but we still want to extend our vacation a little longer! So, take advantage of the nice weather to discover the treasures that the region hides in its more or less distant lands. Here are 5 medieval villages to (re)visit, absolutely charming, easily accessible, and filled with stories!

We know that you never tire of the charm of Parisian streets, and no one can change your mind about it. The Haussmann-style buildings are among the most beautiful in the world. But have you ever thought about exploring the charm of the old, I mean, the OLD, near Paris but in the heart of small villages full of treasures? It's definitely worth a visit, don't you think? Let's explore the region and make sure we have a well-deserved journey through time... Moret-sur-Loing Located at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, southeast of Paris, there is a charming little medieval town that is definitely worth a visit. You will feel completely immersed in nature: the old town is bordered by the Loing river, where you can enjoy long relaxing walks after visiting the church, the fortified gate, and the old bridge. Moret-sur-Loing is a town of water, a town of history, and a town of artists. It is also known for being the residence of the impressionist painter Alfred Sisley. Make sure to try the famous barley sugar, loved by Napoleon, Jean Jaures, and even Sarah Bernhardt!


Provins

Provins is timeless, Provins is known and will remain so, so Provins had to be on this list. This former capital of the Counts of Champagne, highly appreciated by visitors, is located an hour's drive from Paris, and includes a rich UNESCO classified heritage. Yes, the town knows how to welcome guests.You won't be able to miss the Cesar Tower and the well-preserved medieval donjon that dominates the citadel. After admiring the city from above, head towards the thick ramparts, punctuated by immense stone gates, and then to the mythical "grange aux dîmes". With a bit of luck, your visit will coincide with the regular themed events about the Middle Ages organized by the municipality. You will then be walking in the footsteps of Clovis...


Crécy-la-Chapelle

Located less than an hour's drive from Paris, Crécy-la-Chapelle, also known as the "Briarde Venice", is a peaceful place that perfectly combines watercourses and landscapes. Here you can admire its medieval gothic-style church, the Notre-Dame collegiate church, its stone bridges over the Grand Morin, its ancient fortifications, its historic washhouses, its mills, its centuries-old buildings... Get ready to be transported to this city of artists, which has also served as a backdrop for many television series, such as "Un Village Français" (which could be our version of "Plus Belle la Vie", but with a lot more distance...).


Troyes 

Stop frowning: a 2.5-hour drive is no big deal! Especially when it's to visit Troyes, the historical capital of Champagne, with an exceptional heritage from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and industrial era! Wooden-framed civil architecture, charming cobblestone streets, stained glass windows, nine classified churches, and countless museums: whether discovering or revisiting, it's a 4-day weekend, and we won't say no to that pleasure!


Senlis 

Medieval city? Even better: royal city! Relatively unknown, Senlis nevertheless has an exceptional historical heritage. This is where Hugh Capet was crowned king of France in 987. There you go. Now you can boast while visiting the Notre-Dame Cathedral and its Gothic sculptures, its cobbled streets, its ancient ramparts, all the way to the Saint-Vincent Abbey. Yes, you can already guess that the must see is still the royal castle, which dates back ten centuries but still retains many well-preserved elements. A visit worthy of the queen or king that you are, after all.