Castle of Dourdan

The castle of Dourdan, completed in 1222 by Philippe Auguste, replaced a wooden edifice dating from Hugues Capet. Its regular plan is typical from the “Philippian” system. In the Île-de-France region, Dourdan is one of the only 13th century fortresses which preserved most of its structures: dungeons, towers, dry gaps… From 1672, the castle was transformed into a royal jail by Philippe of Orléans.
Since it became a departmental jail during the French Revolution, it housed prisoners until 1852.
A symbol of the royal authority, the dungeon has a circular shape and three levels. It is a remarkable example of military architecture, with beautiful lancet arches. It is 26 meters high. The upper part of the dungeon, formerly composed of hoards and a pointed roof, disappeared. Now only a terrace remains, from which we can admire a splendid view on the whole town of Dourdan and its surroundings.