Villers-Cotterêts Castle, Royal castle in Villers-Cotterêts, France.
Villers-Cotterêts is a Renaissance castle in France with symmetrical architecture, large windows, and detailed stone carvings across its facades. The building spans multiple levels and sits within formal gardens that enhance its classical layout and appearance.
King Francis I took over the castle in the 16th century and signed a 1539 decree making French the official language for all administrative documents. This document became a turning point in the development of modern France and its cultural identity.
The castle now houses the International Center for French Language, which offers exhibitions and programs dedicated to the French language and its role in Europe. Visitors can experience how the institution works to keep this linguistic heritage alive through contemporary activities.
The castle is open daily and offers guided tours in multiple languages along with parking for visitors on site. Plan extra time to explore the gardens and interior rooms, as the complex is larger than it appears from the entrance.
The marble floor of the royal gallery inside the castle is the same one where King Francis I signed his historic 1539 decree. Visitors today can stand on the same tiles and experience this pivotal moment in French history directly.
Location: Villers-Cotterêts
GPS coordinates: 49.25600,3.09220
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
The castles surrounding Paris provide insight into several centuries of French history. From medieval fortresses to Renaissance palaces to Napoleonic residences, each structure represents different architectural styles and periods. These buildings served as homes for French kings, emperors and noble families, and today house significant collections of furniture, artworks and historical objects. Many are surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds that are also open to visitors. The collection spans a wide geographic area from Versailles to the Loire Valley, offering destinations that range from half-hour to two-hour drives from Paris. Properties like Versailles and Fontainebleau attract millions of visitors annually, while smaller estates like Château de Breteuil or Château de Condé provide quieter alternatives. Some, like Château de Guédelon, offer unusual perspectives on medieval construction methods, while restored sites such as Château de Pierrefonds demonstrate 19th-century interpretations of medieval architecture.
Cité internationale de la langue française
67 m
Alexandre Dumas Museum
382 m
Château de Noüe, Villers-Cotterêts
1.4 km
Chartreuse de Bourgfontaine
5.1 km
Fontaine de la coquille
477 m
Château de Mazancourt
5 km
Château d'Oigny-en-Valois
5.2 km
Pavillon Henri II
154 m
Église Saint-Nicolas de Villers-Cotterêts
129 m
Abbaye de Saint-Rémy-les-Villers-Cotterêts
1.2 km
Prieuré de Longpré
4.5 km
Église Saint-Léger de Vauciennes
5 km
Pierre-Clouise menhir
3.1 km
General Mangin Observation Tower
4.6 km
Manoir de Coyolles
4.3 km
Propriété Castellant
4.1 km
Regard Saint-Hubert
2.7 km
Hôtel de ville de Villers-Cotterêts
155 m
Église Saint-Clément d'Haramont
3.3 km
Église Saint-Denis de Largny-sur-Automne
3.7 km
Mausolée du Général Charpentier
5.1 km
Église Saint-Leu de Dampleux
4.7 km
Hôtellerie du Régent
246 m
Église de la Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge de Coyolles
4.3 km
Église Sainte-Marie-et-de-l'Assomption de Vivières
5 km
Église Saint-Martin de Fleury
4.8 km
Église Saint-Martin d'Oigny-en-Valois
5.2 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Puiseux-en-Retz
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