Standing on the banks of the Orge, the medieval town of Dourdan has a fine architectural heritage, a reminder of its rich past as a royal town and capital of Hurepoix.
Built in the 13th century at the request of Philip Augustus to defend and symbolise royal power, nowadays Dourdan Castle is a superb example of military architecture. Examples of this include the quadrangular wall dotted with towers and surrounded by dry moats, the fortified little castle and the isolated cylindrical keep. From the top of the keep, visitors can enjoy a pretty view of the town and the wooded surroundings. The fortress is also of special interest, with its 18th-century former salt attic, later converted into a residence and now the headquarters of the municipal museum. Inside are a series of collections relating to archaeology, fine art and local history.
Opposite the castle, other monuments can be seen, such as the covered market dating from 1836, where a market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning, and the 13th and 15th-century gothic church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, with its spires that tower over the town.
Each year in the month of June, a medieval festival with a market, activities and performances takes place in the castle courtyard and on Place du Général de Gaulle.
