Villers-Cotterêts : the heart of the French Language
From a royal castle…
In 1530, after his captivity in Madrid, King François 1er decided to have a castle built in Villers-Cotterêts mainly because of the surrounding forest of Retz which was, already at that early time, one of the biggest of Europe. The kings and princes of France enjoyed it especially to practice hunting. Architecturally speaking, the château is a pure French Renaissance monument, taking inspiration from the Italian trends. King François 1er particularly liked this castle and very regularly spend weeks here. In August 1539, François 1er signed the Decree of Villers-Cotterêts which introduced the use of French in official acts and laid down the foundations of civil status.
His son, King Henri II, signed here the Auld Alliance treaty between France and Scotland to celebrate a new union after François II and Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, got married. After decades of kings and queens, the château became the property of the dukes of Orléans (who were direct relatives to the reigning kings) until the French Revolution.
Then, from the early 19th century until 2014 and through the wars, the château was turned successively into a nursing home for poor people, a military hospital in 1915, a kommandantur during World War Two and then a retirement house.
… to the Cité internationale de la langue française
In 2018, Président Emmanuel Macron choose the former royal château of Villers-Cotterêts to host his cultural presidential project and bring the place back to life and to open it to visitors as the heart of French language. The project has been entrusted to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN). The CMN is a national institution in charge of care, conservation, and enlightenment of many historical places in France such as the castle of Pierrefonds nearby or the famous Mont-Saint-Michel. After 5 years of heavy restoration, the Cité internationale de la langue française as opened its doors to visitors in November 2023.
The Cité is both a listed historical monument and a place for the Arts and Culture based on a program fully dedicated to the French Language. Thanks to its permanent exhibition, visitors can discover the French language in its all aspects and voices, accents, and international resonance. Following the immersive and playful content, visitors see, hear, and enjoy the French language in all its diversity.
The Pavillon Henri II
Located nearby the château itself, settled in a small street away from the crowd, the Pavillon Henri II is absolutely the last remaining monument from the original royal estate of the 16th century. This pavilion, regularly opened to the public, houses some treasures coming from the château which were saved during the French Revolution.
The Pavillon Henri II is open to visitors on weekends and bank holidays only, from April until mid-Septembr.
Mandatory booking through their website only – English Spoken
The birthplace of Alexandre Dumas
Did you know that Villers-Cotterêts is where Alexandre Dumas was born and raised? The writer of the Three Musketeers was born here, in 1802. From his childhood to his adulthood Alexandre Dumas grew up in these streets, exploring every corner of the town and the forest of Retz. The Musée Alexandre Dumas is dedicated to the Dumas family and regularly hosts events, guided tours and temporary exhibitions.
Cité internationale de la langue française
Château de Villers-Cotterêts
1 place Aristide Briand
02600 Villers-Cotterêts
Pavillon Henri II
Impasse du manège
02600 Villers-Cotterêts
Tel : +33 6 60 75 52 67
Musée Alexandre Dumas
24 rue Demoustier
02600 Villers-Cotterêts
Tel : +33 3 23 96 23 30