Rambouillet, the real thing
Houdan, a medieval town
Do you need to relax, get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and unwind from a tough week? A colourful, rural retreat, so close to home but so out of the ordinary that it's an invitation to travel? We've got just what you need! See you in Houdan!
Houdan through the fields
Barely off the train and a feeling of lightness is already palpable. In the distance, bales of hay dotted along vast fields of harmonious, almost matching colours, remind us nostalgically of our holidays in central France. Unexpected for this small town in a densely populated urban area! Yet Houdan is indeed rural, with 77% agricultural land, 7 large farms and 2 cooperatives. Didn’t bring your camera? Shucks!
Houdan City
While the countryside gives it its rural charm, the town itself is filled with character! Discover authentic half-timbered houses, the Saint-Jacques and Saint-Christophe d’Houdan church, famous for its Cliquot organ and fresco depicting the Houdan pilgrimage to Montserrat, and…a 12th-century keep! From defence tower to prison to water tower, it has stood the test of time. After a splendid renovation, it is now open to visitors.
Houdan was also a major stopover town, as evidenced by the half-timbered facades of the 17th/18th-century inns. One of them, the Auberge du Plat d’Etain, was marked by the Seznec affair, since it was here that Guillaume Seznec and Pierre Quémeneur spent their last evening before Quémeneur disappeared…
And don’t miss a visit to La Tannerie, the town’s contemporary art centre, which hosts some top-quality exhibitions!
New! To enhance your visit with historical information, download the Wivisites mobile app and the Houdan audioguided discovery tour (available on Google Play). You’ll be able to listen to or read about any monument or place of interest you come across along the way! You can also find the circuit on a desktop computer.
A few words about Houdan…
Although traces of settlement date back to antiquity, the Houdan region was truly populated from the 5th century onwards. At the time, its elevated castrum shape gave it a highly strategic position.
From the year 1000, under the influence of the Lords of Montfort, Houdan grew in importance. Numerous wars with the King of England prompted Amaury III de Montfort to build a stone keep, surrounded by an enclosure and a wall. One of his descendants, Simon IV de Montfort, built new fortifications in the 13th century, of which no trace remains today. By this time, the town of Houdan had become a major trading centre. In the 16th century, the town’s fortifications were extended. Traces of these fortifications can still be found today on rue des Remparts (Tour Guinant) and below the town on chemin de la Croix aux Pèlerins (Tour Jardet and Tour de l’Abreuvoir).
During the French Revolution, the Houdan region became the capital’s granary. One of the largest wheat markets in the Paris region was held here. Wool and medicinal plants were also traded. If you remember the melody of the “Boldoflorine” advert: it was created and developed thanks to the Fouché family in Houdan. Houdan is also famous for its poultry market, where for many years you could buy the famous Poule de Houdan, renowned for its succulent meat.
Houdan, local produce
No one can ignore that Houdan counts among its oldest and most illustrious inhabitants, ONE celebrity: The Houdan chicken, of course! The latter, with its highly recognisable colours (black plumage punctuated by white dots), almost disappeared after World War II, but is now widely recognised throughout France, and has even been awarded the “label rouge”!
Unfortunately, today the Houdan chicken seems to have packed its bags for other lands (only one breeder is developing this breed in the Yvelines)!
But don’t worry, if you wish, you can always extend this rural trip with another break in Bazainville, a commune next to Houdan, at the delightful Ferme du Loup: you’ll learn all about foie gras, from duck rearing to production techniques, and taste it too!
So, let’s go?
The Houdanais area
Finally, take the time to get out of the town and discover the rich landscapes and heritage of the surrounding villages: Montchauvet, Courgent, Villette, Condé-sur-Vesgre…so many places where the beauty of nature and the richness of the architecture will fascinate you!
Alternatively, go hiking in the Pays Houdanais on one of the many trails waymarked by the Pays Houdanais Tourist Office!
