Dourdan, a town built on the banks of the Orge, owes its reputation, since the Gallo-Roman era, to its pottery workshops. Three pots adorn the town's coat of arms. As a strategically important place on the corn route linking Paris with the Beauce district, Dourdan has played an important role in almost all of the wars in the history of France. A crown property from the VIth century on, the town became the seat of the Capetians in their struggle against the great feudal lords of the Paris region. Cradle of royal power, it was, and is, characterised by a mighty fortress erected in the centre of the town by Philippe Auguste in 1220. Still dominating the town, this remarkable example of military architecture became, over the course of the centuries, a prerogative of the great and good of the kingdom: Blanche of Castille, Saint Louis, the d'Evreux family, the Duc de Berry, Sully and the Orléans familly.
Dourdan, a historic town still encircled by its ramparts, serves today as a reminder of a past that is still very much alive and of a well-preserved architectural heritage.
The XIIIth century castle - awarded the accolade of Musée de France - is one of the few fortresses in the Ile de France that has retained its essential elements. Today’s visitors can admire its keep, its towers and its dry moat.
The castle is also the town's museum of history, which is housed in what was an XVIIIth century salt warehouse and contains collections of archaeological finds, a model of the castle, items from the former Hôtel Dieu, paintings and sculptures dating from the XVIth to the XXth centuries.
Place du Général de Gaulle - Tel: 01 64 59 66 83
Admire the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois (XIIth-XVIIIth centuries), a building with an imposing silhouette 50 m long and 18 m wide with the taller of its spires rising to a height of 50 m. To visit the church contact the Tourist Office.
Built in 1725 by Michel Lévy, king's counsellor and bailiff of Dourdan, the Château du Parterre, later (in 1863) the Town Hall, is worthy of a visit.
Visit also the market hall dating from 1836, built to replace the former XIIIth century wooden hall. It measures 38 m long and 14 m wide, and is still used for markets and events such as the Ventôse Fair, the Medieval Fête and the Saint Félicien festival...
To add to your knowledge of Dourdan and its attractions, three town trail leaflets are available: "Entre clocher et donjon", "De la Porte de Chartres à la Porte de Paris" and "Autour des ramparts". They can be obtained from the Tourist Office.