Huddled around the ruins of its fortified castle, the medieval town of Montfort-l'Amaury, in Yvelines, cannot fail to enchant lovers of art and history. Montfort, a stopping place for the Kings of France and later a residence for country squires, has many historical treasures.
As you explore the town, you can enjoy a stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, then go into the Church of St. Peter to admire the remarkable collection of stained glass windows from the 16th century. Continue your visit with a look at Anne of Brittany's Tower, named after the queen who built it. Built at an altitude of 185 metres, on the site of the ruins of the castle destroyed by the English during the Hundred Years War, it overlooks the village and offers a beautiful view. A listed Historic Monument, the lovely cemetery is the final resting place of a few celebrities - including Charles Aznavour - and is well worth a visit, with its Gothic portal and old galleries.
The composer Maurice Ravel moved into a house named Le Belvédère in 1921, and would live and write music there for 16 years, until his death. This place, which is now the Maurice Ravel House and Museum, is imbued with the musician's spirit and works, and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area. The park and the romantic "follies" of the Château de Groussay, an old country house dating from 1820 with a park that has earned Remarkable Garden status, are another point of interest.
Montfort-l'Amaury, a relaxing place with its green spaces and ponds, is also a lively town that regularly hosts cultural events such as the Ravel Days in October.
Montfort-l'Amaury is a village of Yvelines, in the Île-de-France region, 45 km west of Paris.
The town developed north of the forest of Rambouillet, in an area of hills between woods and crops.
With a castle from the tenth century, Montfort-l'Amaury is the stronghold of a powerful seigneury, the Montfort family, and became a county in the twelfth century. During the last quarter of the 14th century, after the marriage of an heiress of the family with Duke Arthur of Brittany, the city became a Breton dependency. It was not until 1547 and the meeting of Brittany to France that Montfort-l'Amaury was united to the kingdom. This singular parenthesis has lasting impact on the town where the tradition of pardons has lasted.
After the Revolution, the locality remains prosperous and becomes in the nineteenth and twentieth century a residential city prized for its preserved environment and many artists live there or stay.
With nearly 3,200 inhabitants, endowed with a rich historical inheritance on the edge of the forest of Rambouillet, it is a must for anyone visiting the Paris region.
The heart of the city has retained a medieval face that is in itself a charming change of scenery, and a visit of Montfort-l'Amaury can be punctuated with sites of interest.
The route can begin with the imposing St. Peter's Church. It was rebuilt from the late fifteenth century in a Renaissance style under the leadership of Queen Anne of Brittany, replacing a first Gothic church of the eleventh century. The building was listed in 1840 for its exceptional set of stained glass windows dating from the second half of the sixteenth century (there are 37 glass roofs).
We will also notice the amazing gargoyles, outside.
Nearby, a passage through the cemetery, rue Saint-Nicolas, to discover a group of galleries that evoke a cloister in the center of which were buried the remains of the deceased until then buried on the site of the church. Featuring a Gothic door, this unique heritage item has also been listed.
Of the medieval castle, affected during the Hundred Years War, remain however only a few elements, but having however a certain interest: the old dungeon denominated "tower Anne of Brittany", fortifications (or ramparts) dismantled in the fourteenth century then partially restored after the wars of Religion, and an arched door, the door Bardoul.
At the mercy of this rich walk in the heart of the city, one discovers besides charming half-timbered houses of medieval style, but also mansions and residences where lived celebrities, like Victor Hugo, Jean Anouilh and especially Maurice Ravel. The composer lived in the so-called Belvedere house, at the foot of the dungeon, from 1921 to his death in 1937. He wrote the famous Bolero. Transformed into a museum dedicated to the musician, we discover the living and working environment of Ravel, not to mention the magnificent view from the living room. Guided tours by reservation only (due to the small size of some rooms). Price: 4 and 8 euros. Inquire at +33 1 34 86 87 96.
Montfort-l'Amaury finally has an amazing jewel, the castle of Groussay. Its construction was initiated in 1815 for the Duchess of Charost, daughter of the former governess of the children of Louis XVI... But it is from its acquisition in 1938 by Charles de Beistegui, esthete and wealthy collector, that the site takes a dimension out of the ordinary. Wings are added, a theater built, the interior decor enriched with originality and the vast park of 30 hectares (label Remarkable Garden) is remodeled and adorned with many "factories" or "follies", small monuments in the form of pyramids, pagodas or ancient temples.
Private property, classified since 1993, the whole can be the subject of guided tours (entry: 12 euros) but the park can be visited freely (entry: 5 euros). Information on +33 9 66 96 11 77.
For guided tours of the whole city (price: 5 euros), contact the Heritage House and tourism where are also regularly offered rich artistic or historical exhibitions. Information on +33 1 34 86 87 96.
The territory of the city on the edge of the forest of Rambouillet also lends itself to many hikes (pedestrian or mountain bike) including some parts of the historical heritage and trails in the woods. In addition, the GR1 whose route borders Greater Paris passes through the town. Documentation and information on +33 1 34 86 87 96 and +33 1 39 07 71 22.
For the pleasure of swimming or idleness, go to the aquatic center, its 25 m pool, and in summer, outside, a pool with slide, a river against the current, a beach and lawns. Price: 4.20 and 5.50 euros. Information on +33 1 34 86 84 48.
For a game of tennis, contact the local club at +33 1 34 86 84 81.
As for the fishing amateurs, they must join the +33 6 60 42 53 95 to learn about the developed sites and the regulation.
The last Sunday of August, painters' day (in the streets). Private galleries are also open.
End of August or beginning of September: the feast of Saint-Fiacre is an opportunity to decorate the church in a very original way thanks to the achievements of the horticultural society of the town.
The 3rd or last Sunday of September, the Autumn Attics are a huge flea market.
The first weekend of October, the Ravel Days program many concerts in the locality and the surrounding municipalities.
On November 11, the Flambeaux Night Race takes place across the city and its medieval heart.
Finally, every Sunday morning from 8h to 13h, the market is held on the paved area in the old center. The opportunity to discover the riches of the regional terroir.
