Villers-Cotterêts
Villers-Cotterêts in the Valois area is a family destination with countryside, heritage, culture, peace and tranquillity.
Villers-Cotterêts a major centre for the French language !
Villers-Cotterêts in the Valois area is a family destination with countryside, heritage, culture, peace and tranquillity. A centre for the French language since the so-called Villers-Cotterêts ruling, signed by François I in 1539, it also has strong links with the writers Alexandre Dumas and Jean Racine.
The surrounding Forêt de Retz national forest is dotted with villages, abbeys and châteaux to visit and the little forest roads are ideal for bike rides. Memories of the Great War are represented by the Observatoire Mangin, site of the July 1918 offensive.
What to see and do in Villers-Cotterêts
Villers-Cotterêts château and grounds, built by François I and site of the proposed centre for the French language.
The facade of the Château des Ducs d’Orléans at La Ferté-Milon, a surprising, unfinished work.
The Forêt de Retz, over 560km of paths and tracks forming around 400 intersections.
The picturesque village of Longpont and its ruined Cistercian abbey.
The centre of La Ferté-Milon, the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Passerelle Eiffel footbridge.
Alexandre Dumas Museum, Jean Racine Museum, Museum of Wood, Museum of Agricultural Machinery.
The keep and grounds of the Château de Vic-sur-Aisne.
Carrières de Confrécourt (former quarries occupied by French soldiers during WW1) and the Monument des Fusillés at Vingré
Général Mangin’s observation tower at the heart of the forest.
In and around Villars-Cotterêts
A wealth of heritage sites and museums to visit.
A choice of walks along designated footpaths, ranging from family micro walks to full-day discovery hikes to memorial circular walks.
Bike rides through the forest. Electric bike and mountain bike hire at Longpont.
Guided nature walks in the forest accompanied by a forest warden.
Horse rides and treks through the countryside with local riding centres.
Have lunch while cruising along the Canal de l’Ourcq or at the riverside ‘guingette’ at Port aux Perches.
Follow the rhythm of the seasons and enjoy picking your own fruit and vegetables with family and friends at the many pick-your-own farms and orchards throughout the Aisne region.
Our favourite comment : « During my literary walks in the Forêt de Retz towards the Maison Neuve, a former hunting lodge, I always spare a thought for Alexandre Dumas whose novel « Catherine Blum » is set in the forest. The writer liked to meet up with his good friend, the forest warden here. »
How to get to Villers-Cotterêts
By road : N2 : 1 hour from Paris
E19 A2 A26 : 3 hours from Brussels
A1 : 2 hours from Lille
N31 : 1¼ hours from Reims
By rail : to Villers-Cotterêts (from Paris - Gare du Nord)
Nearest airport : 45 minutes from Roissy – Charles-de-Gaulle
Contact
Office de tourisme de Retz-en-Valois
6 place Aristide Briand
02600 Villers-Cotterêts
