Take the route of the castles | Les Portes de la Champagne Tourist Office

1st stop at

Château de Condé,

Demeures des Princes in Condé-en-Brie

Welcome to theChateau de Condé, home of the Princes of Condé, Bourbon and Savoy. The Château de Condé is one of the most beautiful Renaissance type castles in the area. Far from being a museum frozen, it is inhabited all year round and classified as a Monuments Historiques. Imagine yourself back then: Olympe de Mancini and her magic powders, the Cardinal of Richelieu enjoying the room reserved for him and Jean de La Fontaine as a guest. Quite a beautiful world! Come and discover this authentic and preserved treasure where Watteau’s paintings will transport you to another world and another time… The jewel is inside!”

Discover

Stop the

Medieval castle

of Château-Thierry

Take the walkway where the sequence of trees leads you onto the Saint John gate which was once the main entrance to the castle. It is one of the oldest fortresses of the Middle Ages. The castle became royal when Philippe le Bel married Jeanne de Navarre, Countess of Champagne, in 1285. When you reach the top, you’ll have a magnificent view of the town of Château-Thierry, encompassing the church of Saint Crépin, the town hall, the Protestant temple…and the vineyards as far as the eye can see!

Discover

Go to the

Castle of Fère

in Fère-en-Tardenois

The castle of Fère-en-Tardenois has left magnificent remains. Nestled on its plateau, it impresses with its grandeur and imposing silhouette. Being built on a slight slope, the castle is protected by a 20-meter deep ditch surrounded by a stone-clad counterscarp and surrounded by a covered way defended by a series of watchtowers. Since 1206, the site has known various owners, modifications and interventions of nature and history. In 1533, Anne de Montmorency demolished part of the castle and left only what remains today, the towers and the entrance gate. He also built the bridge visible today with its five arcades in the antique style.

Discover

Last visit to

Castle of Nesles

in Seringes-et-Nesles

After making an appointment to visit it, go and conquer the castle of Nesles, almost a little brother of the castle of Fère-en-Tardenois. It was built in 1226 by Robert III of Dreux. Contrary to its ferocious neighbor, this one was built on a philippian model, very geometrical, and which answers perfectly to the canons of its time. This castle has quite a history! It knows a tormented past because of the various owners who succeeded one another. The murders are so frequent that they become a sort of signature of the place. But its bloody history continues since it is occupied during the First World War by the Germans and will be liberated only on July 31, 1918 by the Americans of the 42nd US rainbow division with, at their head, Colonel Douglas MacArthur. One could almost make a movie of it…