- Description of the castle of Blandy-les-Tours
- History of the castle of Blandy-les-Tours
- The main events of the castle of Blandy-les-Tours
- The castle of Blandy-les-Tours
- Transfer from the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours to Paris airports
Description of the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours
The castle of Blandy-les-Tours, a Gothic structure, is situated in the town of Blandy-les-Tours within the Seine-et-Marne department, near the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Centrally located in the village of Blandy, this medieval building boasts a hexagonal layout with rounded tournelles. The castle features six towers, namely the square tower, the North Tower, the Tower of Justice, the Archives Tower, the Guards Tower, and the Dungeon Tower. The dungeon, a robust tower, stands at a height of 35 meters and comprises three levels. The bases of the last three turrets are constructed in Fontainebleau sandstone, while the upper floors are built of millstone. Dating back to the 13th century and later rebuilt as a feudal residence in the late 14th century, the Castle of Blandy is one of the final representatives of medieval military architecture in Ile-de-France. The original house, still standing to the north of the fortress, comprises four towers: a square “gate-tower,” two cylindrical towers, and a square tower. This fortified entrance was augmented with a drawbridge and arrow slits. A prominent main building in the courtyard extends towards the original gap, with a back wall.
History of the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours
The Castle of Blandy-les-Tours, established in the 13th century, has been a witness to the evolution from a manorial castle to a residential one. First mentioned in history in the year 1216, it underwent significant fortifications in the 14th century. During the Hundred Years War, numerous modifications were made to enhance the castle’s defenses. Owned by the counts of Tancarville, it served both as a defense base and a residence throughout the war. Expansion projects were undertaken in the 16th century under Francis II of Orleans Longueville. In 1883, the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours became state property after changing hands multiple times. In 1992, it came under the jurisdiction of the General Council of Seine-et-Marne. This period marked the beginning of a comprehensive rehabilitation program led by Jacques Moulin, a chief architect of historical monuments, resulting in the full embellishment of the site and its opening to the public.
The Main Events of the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours
Between the 14th century and the years 1371-1387, significant expansion and fortification works were undertaken at the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours. Since the 1970s, charitable organizations have initiated preservation efforts. The castle has been classified as a historical monument since 1889 and was officially reopened to the public in September 2007.
Activities at the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours
Visitors to the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours can enjoy various forms of traveling theater, music, and choreographic performances on Sunday afternoons from April to October. These activities are often organized in the audience hall or the courtyard. During the cultural season, specific events are scheduled, such as the Three Castles hike, Medieval May, Heritage Days, and the Sleepless Night. From the opening season, visitors have the privilege of meeting several living authors. In the large gallery room, the public can discover the castle’s history through the exhibition of renovated objects.
To explore the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours by luxury shuttle, feel free to use our transfer service. We offer a range of comfortable and well-equipped vehicles, including collective shuttles, private cars, and VIP luxury cars, all with the convenience of a professional driver for your journey.
Transfer from the Castle of Blandy-les-Tours to Paris Airports
The Castle of Blandy-les-Tours is located 60.9 km from Orly Airport, 157 km from Paris Beauvais Airport, and 81.3 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport, making it accessible from these major transportation hubs.