Dourdan - Wikivoyage, the free collaborative travel and tourism guide - Dourdan — Wikivoyage, le guide de voyage et de tourisme collaboratif gratuit

Dourdan
Information
Country	France
Area	30,64 km²
Population	10 559 hab. (1er january 2018)
Density	344,61 inhab./km²
Postal code	91410
Tourist information office	Place Général de Gaulle. ​ 33 1 64 59 86 97 E-mail: [email protected] ​
Location
48 ° 31 ′ 44 ″ N 1 ° 59 ′ 42 ″ E
Official site
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Dourdan is a locality ofEssonne.

Understand

Built on the banks of the Orge, Dourdan owes its notoriety from the Gallo-Roman era to its potters' workshops (three pots adorning the town's coat of arms). Strategic site on the wheat route linking Beauce to Paris, Dourdan has played a role in almost all wars in the history of France. Cradle of royal power, it is characterized by a powerful fortress built in the heart of the city in 1220 by Philippe Auguste. Remarkable example of military architecture, it was to become, over the centuries, the prerogative of the great of the kingdom: Blanche de Castille, Saint-Louis, the family of Évreux, the Duke of Berry, Sully, the family of Orleans .

In the XVII^e century, the city which was, at that time, Marie de Medici's dower, embellished and developed economically. It owes its fame to its woolen stocking factories whose knitting looms were introduced on the initiative of a young woman from the Dordogne, Marie Poussepin, who modernized the woolen industry in the city. In the XIX^e century, Dourdan is renowned for its renowned publishers whose publications have shaped the image of urban outskirts and seaside resorts.

A historic town still surrounded by its ramparts, Dourdan today bears witness to a still living past and a very well-preserved architectural heritage

To go

Dourdan is easily accessible by car or public transport: by road thanks to the highway A10 and proximity to the N20. You can also get to Dourdan from Paris by RER C and from Massy by bus. Massy station is a TGV station, main lines.

Circulate

A bus goes around the city every hour. The main stops are: the tourist office, the train station and Intermarché.

To see

• Fortified castle and keep  – The castle of Dourdan, completed in 1222 by Philippe Auguste, succeeds a wooden building dating from Hugues Capet. Its regular plan is characteristic of the Philippian system. In Île-de-France, Dourdan is one of the only fortresses of the 13th^e century which has retained most of its structures: keep, towers, dry ditches ... From 1672, the castle was transformed into a royal prison by Philippe d 'Orléans. It became a departmental prison during the French Revolution, and housed prisoners until 1852. It was then bought and bequeathed to the Guyot family in 1864. Joseph Guyot spent his life restoring and fitting it out. The ensemble has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1964. Symbol of royal power, the keep is circular in shape, on three levels. It is a remarkable example of military architecture, with beautiful ribbed vaults. It has a height of 26 meters. The upper part of the keep, which included slabs, as well as a pepperbox roof, has disappeared. There is now a terrace from which one can admire a splendid view of the entire town of Dourdan and its surroundings. (last updated Jan 2016)
• Castle Museum Place du General de Gaulle 91410 Dourdan,   33 1 64 59 66 83, e-mail : [email protected] from Wednesday to Sunday, sea.- Sun. : 10 h - 12 h and14 h - 18 h (17 h Friday), all public holidays (except December 25), closed the first half of January. – In the courtyard of the castle is the municipal museum housed in a former salt loft from the 18th century.^e century built by the Marquis de Verteillac. Transformed a century later into a home by the owner of the castle, Joseph Guyot, this residence has retained much of its neo-Gothic and eclectic decor. This museum, a French museum label, houses high quality collections, testimonies of Dourdan's heritage. Archaeological pottery: Gallo-Roman and medieval, Model of the fortified castle, Collection from the former Hôtel Dieu de Dourdan: pharmacy jars, furniture, old paintings including a 16th century Virgin and Child^e century attributed to Coeck van Aelst, Prints, paintings, sculptures XVI^e to XX^e centuries. The museum offers cultural activities from May to September in the courtyard of the castle, as well as educational workshops in connection with the exhibitions. (last updated Jan 2016)
• Domanial Forest  – Former royal forest, the Forest of Dourdan divided into two massifs separated by the valley of the Barley (Saint Arnoult and the Ouÿe), extends over 1,600 hectares. From the Merovingians, these massifs belong to the royal domain. The Ouÿe forest owes its name to the abbey founded in 1163 by Louis le Pieux. Philippe Auguste revoked the donation made by his father but Saint Louis returned the estate to the nuns who kept it until the Revolution. The rest of the forest was often given to princes of the blood. Louis XIV granted it to his brother Philippe d´Orléans. She remained in the Orleans family until the Revolution. In 1870, the forest until then owned by local lords returned definitively to the state. Until 1958, the forest was planted in coppice under high stands before being replaced by high oak groves. Many tree species are present in the Dominion Forest such as chestnut, ash, beech, birch, hornbeam and especially oak. At the southern tip of the forest, the "oak of the six brothers" whose trunk is close to the 6 meters in circumference, is a superb cépée (strain from which six trunks have developed). Big game is present: deer, roe deer and wild boar as well as other mammals such as squirrels, badgers and hedgehogs. About sixty species of birds also live in the forest, such as robins, cuckoos, titmouses and woodpeckers. The Dourdan National Forest is suitable for many walks or hikes. This is an opportunity to discover sites such as the Ouÿe Abbey, the Fountains Bouillantes. (last updated Jan 2016)
• Ouÿe Abbey  – Located in the town of Granges le Roi in a large clearing in the middle of the Dourdan forest. The Abbey founded by Louis VII in the 12th^e century was built in a valley in the Dourdan forest. According to legend, a prince lost in the forest during a hunting party was "heard" and found by his companions. As a sign of gratitude, he had a sanctuary erected at Notre Dame de l'Ouÿe. Louis and Alix de Champagne often came to pray with the monks of the Grandmont order, to obtain a son. They were fulfilled by giving birth to Philippe Auguste. The Abbey was destroyed during the League of Armagnacs in 1567, then during the wars of religion. Louis XIII, who came to hunt in Dourdan, granted an income to the prior Jacques du Lac for the reconstruction of new buildings and a water reservoir. In 1774, when the Order of Grandmont died out, the Benedictines of Saint-Rémi des Landes revived the Abbey and restored the buildings. During the XIX^e century, the old abbey changes owners several times. Finally, in 1908, Mr. Parmentier bought it. He had development work done and in particular he had the chapel restored. During World War I, the abbey served as a military hospital. During the Second World War, the buildings were rented by Mr. Parmentier to the Aron company which stored fabric. In 1946, the Ursuline Sisters became owners of the premises. They left the Ouÿe Abbey in 2012. (last updated Jan 2016)

Do

It is possible to fly over the Dourdan region in a hot air balloon with Aerfun hot air balloonDourdan also houses a cinema with an Art and Test program. www.allocine.com

A cultural program rich in theater, concerts and humor is offered in Dourdan.

• 48.52731.9741 Max2joules rd116,   33 1 30 59 40 75, e-mail : [email protected]  Tue.- sea. : 10 h 00 - 12 h 30 and14 h 30 - 18 h 30, Game. : 14 h 30 - 18 h 30, Fri. : 10 h 00 - 12 h 30 and14 h 30 - 18 h 30, sat. : 9 h 00 - 18 h 30, Sun. : 9 h 00 - 10 h 30.  15 € (~ 16.58 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 22.46 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ $ 18.11 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 9 834.09 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021). – Play a game of airsoft on a 18 000 m² fully equipped with structures, car wrecks, multi-storey buildings, all in a forest. (last updated Apr 2021)

Festivities

The Medieval Festival The Medieval Festival takes place every first weekend of June of each year. Dourdan plunges every year with troops, dancers, troubadours and associations into the medieval period. Over the course of two days, the city is adorned with the colors and ambiance of the era to offer residents and visitors an event in the form of time travel. Several highlights are scheduled: a fire show on Saturday evening, a chivalry tournament on Sunday afternoon, the medieval market without forgetting entertainment and workshops for children. All entertainment and shows are free and open to everyone.

The Vintage Car Festival The meeting place for beautiful mechanics! Lovers of beautiful cars with character, old mechanics, mythical brands that have marked the history of the automobile and nostalgic for purring engines, come to Dourdan on the first Sundays of October. From the 1925 Bugatti to the 1926 Torpédo Citroën, Porsche, Peugeot, Panhard… The Dourdan gathering is renowned for the presence of prestigious cars from the region.

To buy

Dourdan's specialty is chocolate and is called Les pavés de Dourdan! You can also bring back souvenirs to the Tourist Office: psotales cards, magnets, books, notebooks ...

Eat

• The Table of Augustus 31 Rue du Faubourg de Chartres,   33 1 64 59 73 03  Tue.- Sun. : 12 h. – Traditional restaurant (last updated Apr 2015)
• Riad Fes 51 avenue d´Etampes,   33 1 64 59 40 88 Open every day. – Moroccan specialties (last updated Apr 2015)
• The Money Pot 2 Rue Saint Germain,   33 1 64 59 40 20  Mon.- Sun. : 12 h. (last updated Apr 2015)
• People 12 rue d'Etampes,   33 1 60 81 08 22  Tue.- Game. : 12 h - 19 h, Fri. : 12 h - 23 h and sat. : 10 h - 23 h. – Traditional (last updated Nov 2015)
• La Grange du Faubourg 35 rue du Faubourg de Chartres,   33 1 64 59 31 50, e-mail : [email protected] Open from Monday noon to Saturday noon Friday and Saturday evening. – Traditional French and Portuguese (last updated Apr 2015)
• The Bistrot de la Cave 44/45 rue de Chartres,   33 1 64 59 44 64 Open Monday to Saturday every lunch Tuesday to Saturday evening. – traditional (last updated Apr 2015)
• The Fleur de Sel 1 Rue Francisque Sarcey,   33 1 60 81 90 94 Open from Tuesday noon to Saturday evening except Wednesday. – traditional (last updated Apr 2015)
• Bellanger pastry 9 rue de Chartres,   33 1 64 59 71 44  Mon. : 9 h - 19 h 30, Game.- sat. : 8 h - 19 h 30 and Sun. : 8 h - 13 h and15 h 30 - 19 h 30. (last updated Apr 2015)
• At her's Raymond Laubier street,   33 1 64 59 42 17 – Brewery (last updated Apr 2015)
• Mc Donald’s 11 rue d'Orsonville,   33 1 64 59 31 25  Mon.- Sun. : 10 h - 23 h. – Fast food (last updated Apr 2015)
• Restaurant and pizzeria of the castle 2 rue Demetz,   33 1 60 81 23 82 Open from Tuesday noon to Sunday evening. (last updated Apr 2015)
• La Casa Pizz 14 Place du Chariot,   33 1 64 59 31 26 Open from Tuesday noon to Saturday evening. – Pizzeria (last updated Apr 2015)
• The Galandières 12 rue haute Foulerie,   33 1 64 59 70 84 Open from Tuesday noon to Saturday evening. – Creperie (last updated Apr 2015)

Have a drink / Go out

• Pitchtime  – Parterre of the Town Hall many concerts are organized every weekend. (last update Feb. 2018)
• 48.52942.009981 Beer’s Not Dead 17 Rue Haute Foulerie,   33 6 28 65 47 59, e-mail : [email protected]  Tue. : 12 h - 21 h, sea. : 10 h 30 - 21 h 00, Game. : 12 h - 21 h, Fri. : 12 h 00 - 22 h 30, sat. : 10 h 30 - 21 h 00, Sun. : 15 h - 19 h. – craft beer cellar, bar, gift boxes and tasting workshops (last updated Apr 2021)

Housing

• Belambra Vvf Hotel (The Normont) Orleans Avenue,   33 1 60 81 66 66 – 176 Rooms (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hotel Blanche de Castille Herbal market square,   33 1 60 81 19 10, e-mail : [email protected] (last update Feb. 2018)
• Mrs Lecomte 11 Rue Haute-Foulerie,   33 1 64 59 47 10 – Studios 35 m² and 45 m² (last update Feb. 2018)
• Gîte de l'Atreuvoir (Mr. and Mrs. Peschot-Grumel) 9 ter Rue de l'Abreuvoir,   33 1 64 59 17 53, 33 6 75 22 22 79, e-mail : [email protected] (last update Feb. 2018)
• Mr. and Mrs. Evain Hameau de Rouillon, 4 Rue de la Gambade,   33 1 64 59 84 27 – Gîte de France 2 ears (last update Feb. 2018)
• Mr. and Mrs. Mayer 15 Avenue Chateaudun,   33 1 64 59 51 69, e-mail : [email protected] – Studios 18 m² To 33 m² (last update Feb. 2018)
• Mrs Debourg 38 Rue de Chartres,   33 6 78 07 13 28, e-mail : [email protected] – Double room (last update Feb. 2018)

Communicate

Around

The Hurepoix offers various walks and tourist attractions. You can discover all these suggestions for walks on www.tourisme-essonne.com