Montataire

The Castle
At the crossing of the valley of Thérain and Oise, Montataire, with its privileged situation, has always been a strategic site for a long time. From the prehistory, men were present at Montataire as the many found vestiges attest . It is at the time of the conquest of Gaule by Jules César that Montataire acquires its name “Mons ad theram” “the mount close to the Thérain” and constitutes a prime site for the establishment of a fortified camp.

As the time goes, a settlement is organised around the camp thus forming the first core of the city. Until XI century, Montataire is part of the royal estate, just like Creil.

Hugues, count of Clermont, then receives the estate as a wedding present. His son, Renaud II, one century later, in accordance with the wish of the king of France, has the castle built with a keep and four towers.

Guillaume Calle, instigator of the famous revolt of the Jacques, had held his general headquarter there and from this place, defied the local nobles and the king of France, Charles le Mauvais, for nearly one year !!

 

Chateau de Montataire
The 'Notre Dame' church

 

The origins of the church Notre-Dame date back at the same time as those of the castle.

From 1225 to 1230, works transforms the small original romanesque collegiate church.As for it, the

bell-tower was only added in XIII century. Some rehandlings of XIX century did not weaken the original esthetics of the building.

The extremely well preserved capitals take us right back to the fantastic medieval universe : vegetable motifs, dragons, dreams...

 

 

 

Further informations: 00 33 (0)3 44 64 44 44

To see absolutely around these sites :

Vestiges of the “troglodytes” dwellings among which the cave of Pierre the Hermit, famous monk at the origins of the first crusades.

  • “La sente du panorama”, offering an impregnable view of the Valley of the Oise
  • The fountain of Jubilee
 

 

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