Villers-Cotterêts

Nestled in the heart of the Retz forest, Villers-Cotterêts is a royal city, it houses a castle built by Francis I. Today closed to the visit, the castle is the object of a program of restoration launched by the center of the national monuments. It will host the future international city of the French language, which is scheduled to open in 2022.

It is also the birthplace of Alexandre Dumas, to discover the places of life of the author, a walking trail is offered by the Tourist Office of Retz-en-Valois.

For nature lovers, the proximity of the forest offers many opportunities for walks and hikes, some sites are equipped with picnic tables. Contact the Tourist Office on +33 (0) 3 23 96 55 10 for all the information regarding Villers-Cotterêts and its surroundings.

Municipality	Villers-Cotterêts
Postcode	02600
Tourism label
Latitude	49.2550610 (N 49° 15’ 18”)
Longitude	3.0908159 (E 3° 5’ 27”)
Altitude	From 65m to 226m
Surface area	41.71 km²
Population	10803 inhabitants
Density	259 inhabitants/km²
Prefecture	Laon (59 km, 49 min)
Insee code	02810
Intercommunality	CC Retz-en-Valois
Department	Aisne
Territory	Picardy
Region	Hauts-de-France

Largny-sur-Automne	4.1 km (6 min)
Haramont	4.7 km (8 min)
Dampleux	5.1 km (6 min)
Coyolles	5.3 km (9 min)
Fleury	5.5 km (8 min)
Vauciennes	5.9 km (7 min)
Vivières	6.5 km (8 min)
Puiseux-en-Retz	6.6 km (8 min)
Boursonne	7.1 km (10 min)
Éméville	7.3 km (12 min)
Oigny-en-Valois	7.8 km (11 min)
Vez	7.8 km (11 min)
Faverolles	8 km (9 min)
Soucy	8.1 km (11 min)
Vaumoise	9.1 km (9 min)

Alexandre Dumas Museum - Municipal Museum:

Housed in a mansion of the nineteenth century, the Alexandre Dumas museum retraces the life and work of the Three Dumas: General Dumas, his son Alexandre Dumas, the illustrious author of the "Three Musketeers", and his grandson Alexander, author of "The Lady with Camellias". The museum presents many original documents, letters, manuscripts, autographs, original editions, paintings, caricatures, busts, furniture.
Tel. : +33 3 23 96 23 30.

Henry II Pavilion, private property:

A veritable treasure chest built in the 16th century, the Henry II pavilion was enlarged and decorated by the Duke of Orleans in the 18th century.
Guided tours.

"By the streets of Villers-Cotterêts... In the footsteps of Alexandre Dumas":

A literary circuit, to be done on foot, makes it possible to find the places where the famous writer's childhood took place.
Documentation available at the Tourist Office, 6 place Aristide Briand at Villers-Cotterêts.

Retz Forest:

With an area of 13,225 hectares, the Retz forest is the first national forest in the department of Aisne and one of the largest forest areas in France. The forest is essentially a beech forest, treated in regular high forest, where oak, hornbeam, ash, birch, maple, birch and chestnut are also found, as well as various species of coniferous trees in the plots. the most sandy. About fifteen remarkable trees have been identified. It is home to a multitude of wildlife: deer, deer, deer, wild boars, pheasants, rabbits, hares and foxes. The Retz forest offers many possibilities for walks and hikes.
Contact the Tourist Office on +33 3 23 96 55 10 for more information.

Communal pool: To keep you in shape in the region of Villers-Cotterêts, only one address: the pool, managed by the Community of Communes Retz-en-Valois!

Information points	Tourist Office Retz-en-Valois
Leisure centres	Museum Alexandre Dumas
Monuments	Castle of Noüe
Transport	Train station of Villers-Cotterêts

The Longpont Abbey: In a wide valley bordering the forest of Retz, the village of Longpont preserves the ruins of a Gothic abbey which was the size of the great cathedrals, and the buildings of the abbey founded by Saint Bernard in 1131 and consecrated to the following century in the presence of St. Louis. Tel: +33 3 23 96 01 53.
The ruins of the abbey of Coeuvres-et-Valsery: Tel. : +33 3 23 55 26 39.
The Castle and Park Montgobert: This building of the late eighteenth century, belonged to Pauline Bonaparte, sister of the Emperor Napoleon I and wife of General Leclerc. You will be seduced both by the architecture, rare testimony of classical art in the Aisne, and by the magic escaping from the park. Thirty rooms present old tools and missing crafts and deals with local life. Such. : +33 3 23 96 36 69.
The donjon of Vic-sur-Aisne: Built in the 8th century, the imposing donjon dominates the village square and welcomes you upon your arrival.
The castle of Fossés: It was inhabited, in the last years of its life, by the general Dumas, father of the famous writer. In its romantic setting, stone building encased in lush greenery and reflected in the moat waters.
The gardens of La Muette, private property: Remarkable Garden in Largny-sur-Automne.
The Priory of Longpré, private property: It was founded in the 1180s for nuns of Fontevrault. Its restoration, which began in 1994, has given it back its splendor, highlighting the beauty of the stone and the quality of this religious architecture. The visitor who visits the place can thus taste the charm of this monastery implanted in the middle of magnificent gardens of medieval inspiration.
The Charmettes: This garden, dedicated to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, invites to meditation.
General Mangin's observation tower: Culminating at 220 meters above sea level, General Mangin's observation tower offers, from the height of 25 meters, one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region. A 4.7 km pedestrian circuit starting from the ridge road allows you to discover the memorials of the First World War.
Following the theme that interests you, sites and museums, nature break, history of memory, the Tourist Office Retz-en-Valois informs you to discover the best Villers-Cotterêts and the territory Retz-en-Valois. Contact him on +33 3 23 96 55 10.

Last name	Activity type	Rate	City
Cité Internationale de la langue française ticket at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts - 85 km from Paris	Culture and education	9 €	Villers-Cotterêts
Armistice Memorial Museum	Culture and education	7 €	Compiègne (26 km)
Tickets to Park Asterix	Entertainment	51 €	Plailly (40 km)
Roland Tower historical park	Culture and education	10 € to 450 €	Lassigny (41 km)
Foie gras tasting, champagne and meal	Local flavours	10 € to 32 €	Trélou-sur-Marne (43 km)

Last name	Outing type	Difficulty	Duration	Departure municipality
Clairoix Historical Route	Village visit	Easy	1:00	Clairoix (27 km)
In the footsteps of La Fontaine	Hike	Intermediate	40 min	Château-Thierry (32 km)
Hidden Treasures	Hike	Easy	1:30	Château-Thierry (32 km)
Historic trail in the town centre	Village visit	Easy	1:30	La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (34 km)
Family discovery trail	Village visit	Easy	1:00	La Ferté-sous-Jouarre (34 km)

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Villers-Cotterêts

Villers-Cotterêts

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Aisne

Geographical information

Nearest cities & towns

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