Curated collection
From UNESCO-listed fair towns to cathedral cities, the Île-de-France and its neighbouring regions preserve some of the finest medieval townscapes in northern France.
Many host seasonal festivals and markets — check the official tourism sites linked on each page for current dates.
Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France
A fortified medieval town on the Loing at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, painted repeatedly by Alfred Sisley and home to a barley sugar made by nuns since 1638.
Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France
A UNESCO-listed medieval walled city 80 km south-east of Paris, with a 12th-century keep, walkable ramparts, underground galleries and daily equestrian and falconry shows in season.
Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire
A UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral with world-famous stained glass, a walkable medieval old town and riverside lanes — about an hour by direct train from Paris Montparnasse.
Oise, Hauts-de-France
A royal and medieval town 45 km north of Paris, with an early Gothic cathedral, Gallo-Roman walls, cobbled streets used constantly as film sets, and Chantilly next door.
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