Commune of Val-d'Oise, in the region of Ile-de-France, Montmorency takes place about ten kilometers from the gates of Paris, not far from the airport of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. Perched on a hill, at the edge of a forest, it offers a beautiful panorama of the Plaine de France and the capital.
Occupied since the Mesolithic, as evidenced by the remains found on site, the territory of Montmorency developed in the ninth century with the construction of a wooden castle to protect the road to Rouen. Became owned by Bouchard le Barbu at the end of the 10th century, the city will then give the country six constables, twelve marshals and four admirals. Several times destroyed and ravaged, especially during the Hundred Years War, the city of Montmorency became in the nineteenth century a hotspot for Parisians and celebrities.
The city is very lively and has a rich architectural and historical heritage to discover during a walk in the surroundings.
Classified as an historic monument, the Jean-Jacques-Rousseau Museum opened its doors in the early 1950s. Housed in a small house once inhabited by the philosopher, he presents his daily life, as well as several exhibitions. At the end of the garden stands the donjon, the writer's study, and one can see the house of the Commeres next door. Building of the seventeenth century, it has been completely restored to accommodate today the Rousseau Studies Library and its fund of forty thousand volumes. It also houses the headquarters of the Montmorency History Society and its region.
Also classified as an historic monument, the collegiate church Saint-Martin was built between 1515 and 1563. Flamboyant style, it takes place on the remains of an old building of the twelfth century. Necropolis of the Dukes of Montmorency until the French Revolution, it reveals a beautiful set of Renaissance stained glass windows and a neo-Gothic bell tower. Several interior elements are also classified as the outer door of the old sixteenth century sacristy, the choir stalls of the sixteenth century, or a copy of the nineteenth century painting by Nicolas Poussin who represents the Holy Family.
The orangery of the castle of Charles Le Brun, built in the first half of the eighteenth century, is today the only vestige of the residence of the former decorator of the Palace of Versailles. Listed as a Historic Monument, it was transformed into a dwelling in the 19th century before hosting the city's school of music and dance.
Nerve center of the town of Montmorency, the place Roger-Levanneur can discover beautiful homes of the nineteenth century. Not to be missed either, the auberge du Cheval-Blanc founded in the eighteenth century and once a meeting place for celebrities under the Restoration.
While walking in the city, one can also admire the old ramparts of the XVth century in the gardens of the Observance, the bridge of the street Saint-Victor, or the statue of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Small neo-classical castle of the late eighteenth century, the city hall is worth a visit, especially for its beautiful park of two hectares and Lebanon cedar natural monument.
Several beautiful homes take place in the town like the house Jean-Bertheroy, Italian-style villa, or the castle of Duke Dino. To appreciate all the charm of Montmorency, you will be able to cross the paths and other picturesque paths unveiled by marked pedestrian circuits.
Classified as sites, the chestnut grove, a small chestnut forest, was once one of the favorite walks of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Verdant, the town has many green spaces to discover the time of a stay on site.
The market is held every Wednesday and Sunday morning and Friday afternoon. A lively Christmas market is offered in December. In March, place at the regional products fair, Les Naturelles.
In June, Montmartre at Montmorency is an opportunity to admire artists paint outdoors.
Fireworks and a popular dance are organized for the National Day in July.
Every last weekend of August, the city offers an outdoor cinema on the town hall square.
