Château-Thierry, Administrative commune in Hauts-de-France, France.
Château-Thierry is a commune on the Marne River, roughly ninety kilometers east of Paris, serving as the central town of its arrondissement. Above the river rise the remains of medieval fortress walls, visible from a distance and dominating the hillside above the streets and squares below.
The fortress arose after King Theuderic IV was captured by Charles Martel in the eighth century, giving the place its current name. During World War I, the town saw heavy fighting when American troops advanced through the surrounding area against German positions.
The name comes from King Theuderic IV, who was imprisoned here in the eighth century, and still links the town to the early rule of the Carolingians. Visitors see references to Jean de La Fontaine at many street corners, whose fables are familiar to schoolchildren and adults across France.
The railway station links the commune directly to Paris Gare de l'Est and serves as a terminus for trains heading to nearby towns across the region. The old center is easy to walk around, while climbing up to the castle ruins requires a good level of fitness.
The town received both the Legion of Honour and the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 for its role during World War I and its support of American forces. The museum house of La Fontaine sits in a narrow street near the town center and preserves manuscripts and personal items of the writer.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
