Discover Montlhéry

Explore Montlhéry through its landmarks and history: the Tour de Montlhéry offers views of the town and its surroundings, while Porte Baudry and the Prisons de la Prévôté preserve different traces of the town’s history. There is also the Parc de la Souche, with views of the tower and town walls, as well as the Hôtel-Dieu. In Montlhéry, viewpoints, architectural history and preserved heritage stand side by side.

The Tour de Montlhéry: views and a history of research

The climb to the Tour de Montlhéry takes you up 138 steps to the summit, where you can enjoy views of Montlhéry and its surroundings. Seasonal opening dates are important when planning a visit: in 2026, the tower is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m., from April 18 to October 25. Plan your visit within this period and check the dates before travelling. The site’s history of science is another part of its story: in the 19th century, it was used for research, including measurements of the speed of sound and studies of the time taken by light to travel. The views and the earlier research give the same place two distinct points of interest.

Medieval traces and historic buildings

The Prisons de la Prévôté preserve graffiti dating from 1692 and 1693, including names, dates and drawings. The building has been listed in the register of historic monuments since February 5, 1937. The Prisons are open to the public through the Maison du Patrimoine at 27 Grande Rue. The graffiti are tangible traces of the late 17th century, while the building’s listing places it in a later historical context.

Porte Baudry is a remnant of the town fortifications built at the end of the Middle Ages, and their last fully preserved gate. Another architectural trace can be found at the entrance to the Esplanade du Château de Montlhéry, where the foundations of a chapel built by Saint Louis remain. The two sites illustrate different forms of preservation: at Porte Baudry, the complete gate; at the esplanade, the chapel’s foundations.

The Hôtel-Dieu can also be understood through different aspects of its history. Its entrance porch dates from the 12th century and was listed as a historic monument on March 6, 1926. Louis VII founded the Hôtel-Dieu as a leprosarium; it belonged to the church of Saint-Pierre. The porch’s date, the listing date and the building’s original function each offer a different clue to its history.

Garden views of the tower and town walls

The Parc de la Souche is a one-hectare wooded garden filled with flowers and laid out across three terraces. From here, you can see the tower and the town walls. Its woodland, flowers and terraces make the garden a point of interest in its own right, alongside the historic buildings; its views also connect it with the town’s landmarks. If you would like to experience Montlhéry through both its architectural history and its landscape, the garden offers a different perspective on the tower and walls.

Events and local traditions

The Autodream gathering, featuring exceptional vehicles, takes place at Place Stetten on the first Sunday of every month. If you are planning your stay around it, check the specific date in advance. A different, clearly dated event was the 21st edition of the Tomate contre la Dystonie cycle tour, which linked Montlhéry and Salignac from May 7 to 11, 2026. The Fête Médiévale de Montlhéry was announced for 2026 as its ninth edition. These events have different time frames: the Autodream gathering recurs monthly, the cycle tour is scheduled for a period in May 2026, and the medieval festival was announced as that year’s edition.

The Foire à la Tomate is also part of local history: it was established in Montlhéry on October 18, 1908. This dated tradition adds a connection to local food culture to the town’s architectural and scientific history. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose between different interests: the tower and its views and research history, historic buildings, garden views, or the events mentioned here.

Discover more destinations: Grigny, Linas, Dourdan, Fleury-Mérogis, Villeneuve-Sur-Auvers, Paray-Vieille-Poste, Etampes, Évry.

For the broader travel overview: Essonne.